I don't like Bacon

I don’t like Bacon

I went to the Francis Bacon show at the RA.  It’s a big show, with a big name.  His paintings fill several of the large rooms in the Royal Academy.  There is a lot on display there and you could spend a long time there.

I did not.

Bacon is a big name in modern art, in British art, famous throughout the world.  His paintings are in most of the modern galleries. 

He is or was also properly a genius, a truly talented art who produced a body of work like no one else.

However I find his work truly horrific. As in actually horrifying.   Yes the bold use of background colours like red and oranges that contrasts with the almost monochrome figures is impressive.  Yes his command of paint and form is excellent, but the subject matter that all this is put to, I just find too off-putting. 

Usually you only encounter one or two of Bacon’s work but here there was nothing but Bacon and it felt like being trapped in some kind of lesser hell.  Awful twisted visions wherever you look.  It repulsed me, I felt actually physically sick and so after only about 40 minutes I stumbled out and rushed off to the pub.

I won’t be going back.