Bob Flanagan (performance artist)

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Bob Flanagan (December 27, 1952 – January 4, 1996) was an American performance artist, poet, writer, and musician known for his work exploring the themes of illness, body modification, sexuality, and endurance art. Flanagan suffered from cystic fibrosis from an early age, a condition that significantly influenced his art and performances. His work often involved elements of sadomasochism, which he claimed helped him manage the physical pain associated with his illness. Flanagan's performances were controversial, provocative, and deeply personal, challenging audiences' perceptions of the body, pain, and mortality.

Biography

Bob Flanagan was born in New York City and grew up in Costa Mesa, California. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at an early age, he was told he would not live past his teenage years. Flanagan's early experiences with hospitalization and chronic pain had a profound impact on his life and work. He began writing poetry and performing in the late 1970s, eventually incorporating elements of BDSM into his art as a way of coping with his condition.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Flanagan became a prominent figure in the Los Angeles art scene, known for his shocking and often confrontational performances. He collaborated frequently with his partner, Sheree Rose, who was a significant contributor to his performances and art projects. Together, they explored themes of pain, pleasure, death, and the limitations of the body.

One of Flanagan's most famous performances was "Visiting Hours," a mock hospital room installation where he played the role of a patient/artist in residence. This work was a critical examination of the medicalization of the body and the patient's experience within the healthcare system.

Legacy

Bob Flanagan's work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions. His life and art were the subject of the documentary "Sick: The Life & Death of Bob Flanagan, Supermasochist," directed by Kirby Dick, which won awards at the Sundance Film Festival and has been critical in bringing Flanagan's work to a wider audience.

Flanagan's exploration of the intersections between pain, sexuality, and art has had a lasting impact on the fields of performance art and body art. His work challenges viewers to reconsider their own relationships to their bodies and the inevitable reality of death. Despite his early death at the age of 43 due to complications from cystic fibrosis, Flanagan's legacy continues to inspire and provoke.

See Also

• Performance art
• Body art
• Sadomasochism
• Cystic Fibrosis