In•Spire: Leigh Bowery

"Leigh Bowery", Bead Necklace, 2013 (Photo: Dick Mitchell)

Me with Leigh Bowery Necklace, Beads, 2018

Last week I attended “In-Spire: Leigh Bowery”, a fundraising event hosted by The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art in honor of the late Australian performance artist. The invite described the happening as “celebration of creativity, bringing together those that think outside the box”. As such, I expected to see plenty of artwork inspired by the unique energy of the celebrant, as well as plenty of lewks that delivered on his stunning mix of joie de vivre, sadomasochism, and glamour. I wasn’t disappointed. 

The art that was put up for silent auction ranged in media and technique with Bowery as muse. Below are some highlights. 

Equally impressive were the artistic creatures that the event attracted.

In the end, a good time was had by all and the museum conjured up the spirit of one of art-nightlife's great.  If only all museum fundraisers could be so inspired!