The Body is (not) Here – Franko B’s Archive (2020):

The Body is (not) Here explores the archive of visual artist, curator, and teacher Franko B through representations of the human body. Coming to recognition during the rise of performance and live art in the 1990s, Franko’s deeply autobiographical work presents the body as both a site and a material.  His body is visible throughout the exhibition via documentation of performances and exhibitions, captured in personal photographs, described in vivid detail within publicity material and press cuttings, or hinted at by its absence through objects, traces and the residue of performances.

Interweaving personal stories and universal themes – of pain, suffering, protest, life and love – The Body is (not) Here provides audiences with multiple encounters with Franko’s body and the body of his archive, which like Franko’s work, challenge the way we see, feel and experience the world around us asking us to consider ‘what it is to be human’. 

Please be aware the exhibition contains adult themes and content, which may not be suitable for all audiences.  Please contact the Theatre Collection if you would like to discuss content in advance of visiting.

Visit the exhibition:

To launch the exhibition please navigate to: https://virti.co/scenes/franko-b-360

Further information:

Franko B is a visual artist, curator and teacher. Born in Milan in 1960 but UK-based, Franko B rose to prominence in the 1990s due to his extraordinary body-based performances that often involved blood-letting, performing at the ICA, London, throughout the UK and internationally. Creating work across performance, video, photography, painting, sculpture and mixed media for over 30 years, Franko B continues to earn international acclaim for his artistic practice. He is currently Professor of Sculpture at l'Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti di Torino. 

The archive contains more than 30 years of material relating to Franko’s performances, exhibitions, screenings, visual art, collaborations and his work as a curator, lecturer and mentor. This includes video and audio recordings, photographic stills, publicity material, published material, interview transcripts, contractual agreements, correspondence and personal ephemera. The collection also contains approximately 40 objects that featured in Franko’s performances or installations, including several items and garments fashioned from the remains of bloodied canvas from performances. 

All items, including digitised copies of the videos in the collection, are available to view on site at the University of Bristol Theatre Collection.

Further information, including access to the catalogue of Franko B’s archive, is available here