Wild Life

Wild Life: Francis Bacon and Peter Beard explores the friendship between Francis Bacon (1909–1992) and Peter Beard, his long-time friend and muse. Despite working on different sides of the world, the two artists shared deeply similar personal and creative passions. Intended as a celebration of Beard’s life, the exhibition features works from the period of the two artists’ friendship shown side by side for the first time, along with unseen materials from Beard’s archives including letters and photographs gifted to Bacon and, most importantly, Beard’s diaries, which served as the genesis for his art. The accompanying catalogue includes essays by Martin Harrison and Sophie Pretorius.