Inside The Studio of The World’s Messiest Artist

[@atelier27]

Whenever I feel bad about my work habits I look at images of Bacon’s studio and I feel better.

[@Larkinchance]

Poor Francis. Whenever his father was displeased with boy, he would turn him over the the stable grooms...

[@GoldilocksZone-665]

It's remarkable that so many of the great artists haven't accidentally set fire to themselves. Oil paint is quite flammable. The substances used to remove oil paint - also quite flammable. And many of them are constantly smoking and drinking and probably prone to tripping over their own detritus.

[@timclemons5473]

They obviously knew about it and had no issues… it shows that society worries about way too much

[@biancadolphin7966]

I think Michael Heizer's friend burnt to death while helping him to build City. but they weren't using oil paints on that, obviously.

[@JGarner-pc3iv]

And some of them actually smoke The Paint.

[@sandragustafsson3125]

"Chaos breeds images." I SO agree! Whenever I look at some sort of surface or scene with irregular patterns, I always see images emerging. It can be a floor, curtains, an old worn down table, a pile of leaves...whatever. Tidy and organized spaces are, in my mind, dead. There's nothing there, because nothing is allowed to be there.

[@skyway7582]

Studied in China where everything had to be organized,neat.It was a struggle to work that way.I have reverted and mess is glorious.Excellent video.

[@MarionGagnon-mo4cw]

I’m a clean freak While working however it would be and is a huge distraction to the creative flow. Focus on the idea is the key!

[@paullynn473]

So many artists are hoarders, certainly a way to keep the creative juices running ❤

[@TheGoodContent37]

It's most likely due to OCD, ADHD and PTSD.

[@og1kanobi40]

Wow...this has been the single most informative video on how a genius like Bacon got inspiration that I've ever seen. Thanks for sharing.

[@alexwilliamyt]

Thanks! I'm glad you found it useful :)

[@c3ramics]

I couldn't agree more, the documentaries certainly go over a lot but they always gloss over the meticulous details of his art studio.

[@luisbustamante9869]

@@c3ramics This is a great video - informative, intimate, visually stunning.

[@missinglink9973]

one of my favorite painters haunting images and what a total character, The one and only Francis

[@RobertVincentHarris]

Thank you for this inside look into the minds eye of a Artist. Well Done.

[@billpholde4816]

I've seen photos of Bacon's studio and wondered if it was really that chaotic - you've proven that it was. I always imagined that he worked in there, but went home to a nice home. It's incredible to see that his bath tub was in the kitchen across the hall from that mess. Great video.

[@frankmorgandorfer893]

Bacon had a 'regular' larger flat around the corner, plus a studio/apartment in Paris. Reece mews was his favourite working space. It was useful for promoting his image. He was a very wealthy man.

[@charlesmillham9965]

Thank you. A most informative and stimulating production. The background music is a little intrusive in my opinion. The quality of the data, the information speaks for itself. If I may take the liberty, may I suggest, don't rush the delivery. Thank you once again.

[@alexwilliamyt]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@genevievedolan1288]

Why do video makers add music at all? So distracting, even when fairly subtle like this. Is it something to do with copyright? Also we don’t need images of you with head phones. The images of Bacon and the studio are much more interesting. Also you are talking too fast. What’s the rush? These criticisms are meant constructively. I enjoyed your video!

[@michaelm.3210]

@@genevievedolan1288 Indeed. The SUBJECT of the video--the focus and the all-encompassing, quite mesmerizing point of shooting it/editing it/etc.--is the studio (of the artist). I think inserting little cameos of yourself is quite (!!!) distracting. In short--We. Don't. Care. We care about the presentation you're creating, NOT you per se. (In my opinion.)

[@fluorescentartichoke8361]

Excellent perspective. Your concise and informed views on these spaces are a treat.

[@4wayStopEnforcement]

Fascinating! I especially liked seeing how his unkempt and partially destroyed photos were used as references for his work. That explains a lot!

[@TERRYTODD-ig6ob]

Love the history of Bacon...love your voice, you are an excellent teacher. Thankyou for this piece, fabulous ❤

[@alexwilliamyt]

Much appreciated!

[@davidpierini3316]

Stumbled onto this channel. What a treat!

[@Beniet]

I never comment but I NEED TO say i just stumbled into this video and your channel and i absolutely looovve that ur videos allow the deep focus on the studio (and all the research) so we get these hyper specific info and view on artists we all have know (or not) in the midst of this oversaturated platform. Fully enthousiastic and supportive of all ur future video projects. You will get an honorary space in my art master thesis :)) greetings from Belgium! (going into ghost-no-comment-only-watch-mode on youtube again hihi)

[@alexwilliamyt]

Really appreciate your comment, thanks. Good luck on your thesis!

[@giulitorelli]

I LOVE your videos! Great information in a reduced amount of time! Bravo

[@conchesodan]

For this case, I can totally make sense of Bacon´s work... You see, usually we see his artwork in museums or galleries with very well kept environments that makes the artwork seem "off" in some way. Yet, I can TOTALLY picture Bacon´s artwork in his studio.

[@stephenabbott7259]

If you visit New York USA, Jackson Pollock’s studio is on display in East Hampton Long Island.

[@deelynn8611]

My "studio" is my living room--I just looked around and I have 15 paintings on board, canvas and paper on easel, leaning against walls, or propped on chairs and mantlepiece, 2 tables with paint tubes scattered, 2 cups with brushes, and a work table in the other room with wood, paint, boards, etc. I feel better now.

[@corkygoss7403]

I can relate. Bacon is one big reason I had to paint, which I did, as a muralist and professor of painting at a small college. Thanks Mr. Bacon!

[@alexwilliamyt]

Sounds like a productive studio! :)

[@Pondapple]

You are just getting started!

[@jutta3378]

What you're describing here is exactly my setup as well! I don't use oils as I don't have the space to store finished work for drying. I knew an artist who was as messy as Francis, you had to wade into his space to view work, it was incredibly chaotic but didn't bother him at all.

[@alexwilliamyt]

Thanks for watching! Drop a like if you enjoyed - it really goes a long way!

[@NoobpHilOSopHer]

Ok

[@patrickgregg8454]

This video brings to mind a famous Australian artist Margaret Olley who lived and worked in Sydney and used her whole house as a studio. When she died they did the same thing and recreated her studio at Tweed Regional Gallery on permanent display. 👍

[@rebours]

The archiving work is mindblowing 😳

[@AngieG11]

I am happy to come across your channel, I love the Art history you provide. Thank you

[@fryoung1]

I have seen the autobiography movie of Bacon, but this was fantastic, I had never seen his living area. Thanks for making this

[@salbarracca]

I'm messy myself but this studio would absolutely drive me crazy!

[@bevsartsandcrafts715]

Brilliant video, Thankyou ❤

[@philipparham4064]

Thank you sleep-deprived Daniel Radcliffe.

[@alexwilliamyt]

I'm not sleep-deprived, thats just how I look...

[@joeswampdawghenry]

Ahahahahahhahahahhahah

[@Jimmmeeeeyyy]

Underrated comment.

[@Anna-170]

I love your videos! Bacon is such a captivating artist, glad you covered him! ❤️

[@alexwilliamyt]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@furrylittlepeach]

I love these videos sm 😭💕

[@alexwilliamyt]

Thanks Sha'an! :)

[@t8br00k36]

Thanks for reminding me how fascinating this creature was. I’d forgotten!

[@stagewaste]

honestly so glad this studio has been immortalized

[@CestLePanda]

Am I the only one wondering how his studio didn't spontaneously combust from all of those oil paint supplies and photos piled on top of each other? 😂

[@alexwilliamyt]

Good point! The fumes from spirits and oil paints is not something I thought about. Must have been intense.

[@Larkinchance]

When I was living in Manhattan, I had a visit from my tenant organizer. Looking around at the clutter of my apartment, she said, "What is all this junk?" I responded, "It is the soup from where creative ideas come from..."

[@wlyhazey]

Hahaha. That's dope. But you probably sounded retarded to her

[@radiohill]

interesting. a very G rated version of what it was about his history that made his work so dark.

[@trevchumby]

Good work on this upload. Very thoughtful and well presented. I will check out your others 🐫

[@43painter]

Great video, Alex. I just saw the film Love is the devil about Bacon. And then these days it's also no coincidence to come across something about Bacon then on YT. Bacon's role in the film is insanely well translated by Derek Jacobi.

[@Marianne_C_O_Art]

Fascinating! Similar to the squalor of Margaret Olley but without all of the dead floral and fruit arrangements.

[@Pondapple]

I like your obsession very much. I knew about Francis Bacon's mess, but never thought to put Picasso in the same boat. If you don't have the inspiring materials in front of you, you will forget they exist. You can look at a magazine image and be intrigued with it without knowing why it is so interesting. Bacon just went with it, not needing to understand it. He was right. For me, having to put my materials away every day is a big downer.

[@PolycultureArt]

Wonder what Bacon would have thought about the studio transfer and relocation? Super interesting. Makes me feel better about my "messy" space ha ha, at least I can see the floor!

[@robpitt8197]

Fascinating video. Thank you!

[@vrejtamazian524]

Great Bacon 👍

[@bc4749]

love your channel! keep it up!

[@bigredfred33]

His art reflects his studio

[@milsivonchip]

Love it. Thank you.

[@sylhayes8152]

Dust is a protective cover for furniture...takes on a new meaning!

[@JohnJSteinbeck]

17:50 Who’s ‘Van Go’ ? 🤦‍♂️

[@HenryHateFineArt]

I wouls like to hear your perspective and thoughts on British painter Anthony Micallef's studio. as his work has changed dramatically fro his early origins. But I see a lot of Francis Bacon in his work. For me I relate to the clutter as I always knoe where things are or within a certain area or spot. Its a fine line between controlled chaos and a form of an emotional ties to things.. Andy Warhol was a massive Hoarder and a good part of his arc hive is filled with boxes of crap.

[@alexwilliamyt]

Yea his studio is very reminiscent of Bacon's space. Really interesting painting work too! Might feature in an upcoming video. Thanks.

[@HenryHateFineArt]

@@alexwilliamyt I do believe that an artist studio and its content, layout is an extension of the artist brain and mental state. I can't let it gwet to extremme cause then I feel like an episode of hoarders. But as I have gotten older I try not to hold on to shit. Art ist different. I hold on to books and music. But at the ne d of the day it is purely stuff. I dont want to be one of those people on that Show screaming" it has meories." All while crying over 863 cans of piss and shit.

[@JanineHyslop]

@@HenryHateFineArt ha ha ha

[@OpalandOogum]

This is wonderful. I have clouds and millions of images I keep my reference photos in otherwise I would have this mess. Im a reference material hoarder and I will spend days going thru my hoard looking for something that clicks 😂❤

[@larsickenroth7169]

It’s interesting to think about the similarities and differences between Freud and Bacon’s studio. Not just because they were friends, but because they show two - in their own ways - very focused individuals, who adapted similar spaces in a very different way to suit their way of seeing and working. While at first glance the aesthetics of Freud’s place seem similar (paint tubes, old furniture, and a quite enormous bulbous accumulation of flicked oil paint that is collected on the wall because he use to clean it that way), it’s different in that he worked with models. Which is to say: the room, it’s mood and furniture played an important role in setting the tone for that work. Also: if you watch the video of his last day working (his assistant and model recorded some while he was sitting for him) you see how precise and eagle-like his gaze was, quite a contrast to Bacon’s.

[@alexwilliamyt]

Good comparison. You're definitely right in that Freud's studio looked very similar, but played quite a different role in his work. It was much more a scene or backdrop for his paintings, whereas Bacon's studio was more a provider of reference material. I touched briefly on Freud's studio in a previous video but didn't go into too much depth. I might revisit it the future.

[@larsickenroth7169]

@@alexwilliamyt Sure, no worries, this was the very first one I've seen. If you ask me though, Bacon's room directly acted as his subconsciousness: storing images, materials and other inspirational stuff he could dump there and leave, forgetting about them. And by the time you re-discover them while grabbing stuff to work from off the floor, it feels like fresh input. Quite similar to the difference between 'found footage' and 'footage made by yourself'. By the time you pick it up again off the pile on the floor, it no longer feels like someone else originally created it. And you're very free to associate and create these influential images.

[@whaziz_elc0n]

Yo great content👏🏾you should make a studio vid on Jean-Michel Basquiat 🙏🏾

[@gailierunninglynx7310]

So well done!! Thank You!! New subscriber!! 🎨

[@asapbari60]

great work keep it up

[@belindacullen-reid4595]

So interesting. Thank you!

[@TheDreadfulCurtain]

Really engaging video, thank you.

[@gordonhinze5344]

Legend. Real painter. 👏👌

[@phyllisgoodrich590]

Well, if I was Loaded all the time................I too would be non judgmental about my squalor!! lol

[@alexwilliamyt]

Quite true!

[@Okayletsg0]

this definitely appeals to me, i know it looks like a hurricane in there but i can imagine trudging in with a cup of black coffee and my slippers and getting to work. that being said bacon WAS particularly haunted and tortured as an artist and the external very much matches his internal world. theres a number of studios in the fine art dept of my uni that are practically indistinguishable from his the main difference being more energy drink cans and less work produced! I always wonder what internal discipline pushed him to create despite his addictions and personal troubles, and the studio provides some hints.

[@alexwilliamyt]

Yes Bacon definitely a troubled upbringing. I skipped over a lot of his personal life quite intentionally. Mostly because I try to avoid super long videos. But I do think that some people just naturally gravitate towards mess and disorganisation far more than other people, as you say it appeals to you. Bacon was one of those people.

[@nycgweed]

wow i see my future studio now thank you

[@Sam-fx8ok]

This came up on my algorithm, watched and it was super engaging with good pacing. Nicely done :) Subscribed!

[@alexwilliamyt]

Welcome! :)

[@Tom-po4dh]

Great video.

[@bksson2818]

A complete fire hazzard

[@JanineHyslop]

quite amazing the extent they went to ..to move all his stuff

[@dutra_heitor]

great video! thank you!

[@edwardduarte7393]

I was assisting on a job for sports illustrated and the photographer tells his wife while we were at the airport. "My assistant is reading Francis's Bacon's Bio", That's a first.

[@JoeyTaylor-zh7pg]

great video!

[@alexwilliamyt]

Thanks!

[@SueP-jg9vx]

my bathroom is a work of art right now. I will require a team of curators to take inventory. Once they see the splatters of the many shades of brown, they will undoubtedly agree that it is a work of art in itself.

[@DecomposingPete]

They took this entire 'mess' and transplanted it intact into the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin - you can step into it, separated by glass

[@starbornentity]

great video

[@pizzassos]

I'm curious about what Bacon might think of certain studios of 'stylish' young artists on Instagram :)

[@MegadoseTheOutsiderArtist]

I love your channel because I am also obsessed with art studios. You should do some average artist's art studios also, like come see mine? 😊You would always be welcome if you came to Cocoa Beach, Florida.

[@alexwilliamyt]

Thanks! I'm covering a smaller artist in an upcoming video!

[@dennismitchell5276]

So, the sawdust and cat hairs in my work is purrpusfull!

[@MarionGagnon-mo4cw]

😂😂😂

[@101ALEKSI]

They should make a movie about him starring Oliver Platt. They must be long lost relatives.

[@Anson120]

Artist's and creatives kind share something with hoarding ,but it is not hoarding per say. Kinda of like living with inspiration all around you. Anything that motivates is worthy of keeping. Einstein is said to be messy.

[@polytechnica]

'I want to paint the scream more than the horror.' - Francis Bacon

[@joeswampdawghenry]

Well done laddie

[@pdworld3421]

Modern Painting is all hype

[@jackwadd2390]

nice video.......Daniel Radcliff ? ? ? ? ?

[@alexwilliamyt]

Expelliarmus!

[@atlantic_love]

My room looks like that, and it's not even a studio.

[@Residew]

What a pleasure. Thanks for sharing. Subscribing for more.

[@AuDHDID]

Given how flamable oil paint is, this scares me!

[@glendalindaloo]

my 16 year old college art self could had definitely competed with that mantle.

[@majrminer]

“High-minded suffering” - this tells me I was meant to be an artist 😂 I want to splatter and smear paint all over my walls just to get that feeling of cleanliness out of my tiny den.

[@MarionGagnon-mo4cw]

LOL 😂

[@atuanoiniin]

The walls are like Cy Twombly pieces.

[@mugushi54]

A celebration of his studio clutter resulted from his Art World fame - which was guided by an ideology that I do not believe moves the world in a positive direction. Aesthetics aside, when an artists space becomes a health hazard, the idealistic desires fall victim to reality. It is telling to me that artists like this have influenced so many art school graduates who now only make a living with their degrees by working at coffee shops. Overproduction of an aspiring class of elites. With all do respect, thank you for the video.

[@alexwilliamyt]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@elizabethshannon24]

Well said!

[@learnt2love]

we're all like those people

[@matthewmilner8308]

Art has two periods. The period before Francis Bacon and the period after. There is no further need for classification.

[@vegandolls]

there's nothing impressive about an artist being a hoarder. like.. hi... i do that too

[@Broody58]

Seems to me he created that space to simulate & take him back to what the horror atmosphere was like during, & after the bombing. Putting him back there, & creating from it. Just a guess. He had cans of vinyl paint in there. If youve ever worked with the solvents used in it..its Very strong & penetrating! It'll intoxicate in a bad way if theres no ventilation. They make any oil solvent or turps seem like fresh air in comparison. But they're thin, very opaque, & dry rapidly.

[@alexwilliamyt]

Yea a few people in the comments have mentioned the toxicity of the paints. I wish I had discussed it briefly in the video as it would have been an interesting detail. Thanks for sharing!

[@MSOTV-ug4ln]

this is a very typical artist's studio, a typical atmosphere !

[@GeoffBeggs]

Art is messy. Oil painting especially. My studio has canvases and panels drying around the edges. But I couldn’t work in that mess. But then again, he’s a famous artist and I’m an ‘also ran’. We’re all different, I suppose.

[@Shh_kult]

feel you.Whats inside can be seen outside.I appreciate clean and organized spaces,this is filth and sick studio.

[@curtisnewton895]

omg ... so I was a genius painter all these years too ?

[@PoorBoyPennyShow]

im a slob of an artist ,but i feel like a saint compared to that poor fella ,,,my house is unkept because im physically un able to do much ,i paid to have a cleaning last night ,, now i have the pleasure of mucking it all up again ,,i have painted 16 paintings since the first now its time to study and go over what i produced ,,

[@andrewbowen6875]

Wondering how Bacon would feel about his studio being deified

[@lorenacharlotte8383]

It must be difficult to keep immaculate clean any painting studio room. But this is a bit over the top of dirties.

[@J0hnC0ltrane]

Couldn't watch the video so I read the comments.

[@alexhudsonq]

Yeah well Rose Wylie who turned 90 last week and could claim ownership of that title, however she's far too busy living her best life smashing it at the worlds biggest art fairs to even care. #legend

[@alexwilliamyt]

She's a close 2nd place I think.

[@shawnweaver7797]

chaos is key

[@d.l.l.6578]

That is called hoarding. Also filth.

[@glenncambray9783]

Could not his rooms just have been preserved as they were in their original location in 7 Reece Mews? Surely, that would have been a much more natural way to experience the poetic chaos of Bacon's everyday life and creative environment. Why the need to relocate it to Ireland?

[@alexwilliamyt]

Good question - i'm not entirely sure to be honest. I suspect the reason being it's easier to preserve, manage and maintain in a sealed museum setting. His studio was in a quiet residential area so having lots of people visit regularly would be quite unpractical I think. Your comment reminds me of 'The Ship of Theseus' thought experiment. It asks whether an object is the same object after having all of its original components replaced over time. Not quite the same for Bacon's studio as nothing was 'replaced'. But it's still an interesting thing to think about.

[@martin-fc4kk]

i like that mess

[@alexwilliamyt]

There's something strangely appealing about it.

[@something_origninal.2]

that first cut to your face was a daniel radcliffe jumpscare i flinched so hard