Sailors in Fitzroy by Farson
The photographs of Francis Bacon's whipping boy, Dan Farson, can ve viewed and bought at Blacks Club at London's 67 Dean Street, W1, until March 12th. Don't miss the Private View on Feb 23, 6.30-8.30pm: at 7.15pm., there will be a brief talk by the artist, writer and Soho DJ (and my fiancée) Molly Parkin, and Soho based bespoke tailor Mark Powell (both pictured below by Benjamin Maggs, a Pisces), who is currently working on an outfit for the modfather himself, Paul Weller. They will talk about their Soho experiences past and present, and their memories of Dan Farson.
The flyer reads: "Through the lens of Dan Farson, Soho scenes and its bohemian habitués of the 1950's come to life. Several of the photographs are featured in the remarkable book by Farson Soho in the Fifties, with an introduction by jazz legend and author the late George Melly."
Apparently Farson was also a gifted writer and broadcaster. The first I heard of him was from the late Robert Tewdwr Moss who met him in a Syrian hotel in the mid-90s. Robert describes the encounters in his travel book Cleopatra's Wedding Present. From memory, Farson - drunken and shambolic by this time - took against him, launching into ferocious, froth-flecked tirades. Robert's crimes appeared to be that he was handsome, gay and sexually active. I can't recall if Robert actually names Farson in the book.
As I write I can't find my copy to check. Perhaps Farson's ghost has hidden it.
Farson's autobiography Never a Normal Man
14 comments:
Dan wasn't a gifted writer unfortunately. Shame, because he was 'there'.
Duncan Fallowell
I suppose I'll have to read his autobio, or perhaps his book on Bacon. But I find Farson's face off-putting. He looks literal.
What do you mean Farson was Bacon's whipping boy? Do you mean he was lashed?
I love Mark Powell and his style. I have worked in Soho for 20 years and feel at home when I see him striding about. He is a proper Soho face.
The little of Farson's early TV output that survives is well worth seeing. Shows like Out of Step and Living for Kicks can be stagey and mannered, but they're liberal and admirably non-judgmental, and fascinating snapshots of the attitudes of the day. The segments with Farson's tame pet fascist James Wentworth-Day are particularly noteworthy, with Farson saying "Come now, that's not true or fair" while JW-D rails against mixed marriages, describing black people's houses as 'cesspits of filth' and questioning the sanity of white women wanting to give birth to a "coffee-coloured little imp". Whatever Duncan's assessment of Farson's writing skills, Never a Normal Man is a startling book and yes, you must read it.
Yes, he was literal. That is, essentially passive.
Duncan Fallowell
Thank you Louis. Then I shall read his autobio.
Farson, Bacon et al were just a bunch of drunks.
Is there anyone Molly Parkin doesn't know?
I get the impression Arcati is fascinated by boozy bohemians but keeps them at a distance. I wonder why.
This gives a flavour of Farson on TV - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkZPqNI3is4
"Farson, Bacon et al were just a bunch of drunks.". True-but amusing drunks.
Such a shame I didn't hear about this exhibition at the time, I love his books and would love to see the fruits of his TV career.
BTW for those who think he's an awful writer or are yet to experience his writing I'd strongly suggest reading 'Soho In The Fifties' as the autobiography is a bit shit but this isn't
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