FRANCIS BACON, TATE BRITAIN
11 SEPT 08-4 JANUARY 09

Francis Bacon-jet of water 1988

A major retrospective and more than the average of its type. Much of Bacon’s work has wormed its way into the public subconscious and so I didn’t expect anything new and I certainly didn’t expect to re engage with Bacon’s work on such a basic level. Of course the familiar works were on show but they didn’t dominate the exhibition. For me the more grotesque and fleshy the better. Later works Like jet of water made the last room complete the exhibition with a bang rather than a thud. I havnt visited Tate Modern for the Rothko retrospective (also on now) but if you chose Bacon, he wont disappoint. Even if you think you know him.

I am setting myself a challenge to understand Bacon better and figure out why I have feared his work so much, so far.