Derek Jarman: Loud-mouthed And Flamboyant Homosexual

Evening Standard.

When the sub puts in the header; 'but, says Brian Sewell, without the loud-mouthed and flamboyant homosexual himself present, no exhibition will ever feel adequate', do they mean Mr Sewell?

A brief essay on an art exhibition may seem no place to engage in controversy on sexual restrictions half a century ago, ploughing yet again the unyielding furrows of the Wolfenden Report of 1957, but in Jarman’s case it is, for once his early years as a student were over, everything he painted, designed or directed was informed by his homosexuality and his anger, and as the years passed, his protest against society’s restrictive views grew stronger and more strident, until, in the end, Aids destroying him, there was screaming, yelling protest but no art.

Note how Mr R Sewell spends the whole article slagging Jarman off something rotten then adds a last line; "Still jolly nice chap."

Thanks to Stewart Who. x

Derek Jarman: Pandemonium is presented by the Cultural Institute at King’s at the Inigo Rooms, Somerset House, WC2 (020 7836 5454, kcl.ac.uk/cultural) Jan 23-March 9. Daily 12-6pm, Thurs until 8pm. Admission free. For associated events consult kcl.ac.uk/cultural and jarman2014.org.