tjb - pronouns: xe/xem/xyrs - is a visual artist and the founder and artistic director of Tempting Failure, a biennial of international performance art staged in the UK since 2012. Xis practice, framed as an artist-philosopher, extends across performance art and queer
tjb - pronouns: xe/xem/xyrs - is a visual artist and the founder and artistic director of Tempting Failure, a biennial of international performance art staged in the UK since 2012. Xis practice, framed as an artist-philosopher, extends across performance art and queer phenomenology and xis outputs manifest through the interdisciplinary visual arts and as an author (under the name Dr T. J. Bacon).
Xe focuses upon current societal transformations across intersectionality, queer theory, gender studies, dis/ability and performance art, framed through the lens phenomenological enquiry. tjb advocates for the radical reimagining of traditional phenomenology and the application of a queer phenomenology in the study and making of performance and visual arts.
tjb is a pansexual queer non-binary trans-person with invisible dis/abilities.
Qualifications
2017 – PhD in the Phenomenology of Performance Art, Experiencing a Multiplicity of Self/s, University of Bristol.
2007 – PGCE Post Compulsory Education and Training, University of Greenwich
2005 – MA Performance, Goldsmiths College, University of London
2003 – BA English and Theatre Studies, London Metropolitan University
Exhbitions
Bacon T.J. (sole), Jun 2019, CHTHONIC, London Festival of Architecture, Bow Arts and Raw Labs
Bacon T.J. (sole), Apr 2017, Lines in the Landscape Residency, Sidney Nolan Trust
Bacon T.J. (collaboration with Lanz J.), Dec 2015, PRESENCE/s, Ausland; Berlin
Bacon T.J. (collaboration with Alexander F. K.), Aug 2015, 2 > 4: AIR, Forest Fringe; Edinburgh
Bacon T.J. (collaboration with Fischer E.), Jul 2015, PASSION/Flower, Latitude Festival
Bacon T.J. (sole), Jun 2015, PERCEPTON:Lab, Mobius Gallery; Boston MA, USA
Bacon T.J. (lead), Jun 2015, SELF/s PORTRAIT, Panoply Performance Lab; Brooklyn NYC, USA
Bacon T.J. (collaboration with Alexander F. K.), 2015, 1 > 4: FIRE, Pearce Institute; Buzzcut, Glasgow
Bacon T.J. (collaboration with Chaos L.), Nov 2014, The Lived Body: REDUX, The Island; Tempting Failure, Bristol
Bacon T.J. (collaboration with Fischer E.), May 2014, PASSION/Flower, Das Theater der Zukunft; MPA Berlin, Germany
Bacon T.J. (lead), Oct 2013, SELF/s PORTRAIT, Birmingham Cathedral; HFWAS
Bacon T.J. (lead), May 2013, SELF/s PORTRAIT, ACUD Gallery; MPA Berlin, Germany
Bacon T.J. (collaboration with Maire L.), Mar 2013, The Lived Body, Old Shop; Buzzcut, Glasgow
Bacon T.J. (sole), Mar 2012, [RE]authoring through Sacrifice, The Glue Factory; Buzzcut, Glasgow
Bacon T.J. (collaboration with Maire L.), Mar 2011, Traces of Being IDENTITY EXISTENCE OBJECT, Seven Arts; Leeds
Bacon T.J. (sole), Jun 2010, Traces of Being I, Act Art 8; Metalworks, London
Bacon T.J. (collaboration with Hughes S.), Nov 2009, Psychosis, Camden People’s Theatre; London
Bacon T.J. (sole), 2009, Purification [Psicosi Residency], Rifrazioni Festival; Italy
Fischer E. (group), 2009, Tintarella Di Luna, Rifrazioni Festival; Italy
Bacon T.J. (sole), Feb 2009, Psychosis, Camden People’s Theatre; London
Bacon T.J. (sole), 2008, Erosion, Chelsea Theatre; Sacred Festival, London
Leibniz (group), 2008, Book of Blood by Leibniz, Chelsea Theatre; Sacred Festival, London
Research Output
Non-Refereed Articles
Reviews and Articles
Other Public Output
Bacon T.J. (artistic director / faciliator), 2020, At/Tempting Failure, Tempting Failure CIC, London
Bacon T.J. (artistic director), 2018, TF18, Tempting Failure CIC, London
Bacon T.J. (consultant), 2017, What if a plane falls out of the sky, Idiot Child, UK Tour
Bacon T.J. (artistic director), 2016, TF16, Tempting Failure CIC, London
Bacon T.J. (masterclass leader), 2016, Thomas John Bacon Masterclass - LSBU, London
Bacon T.J. (artistic director), 2016, SND16, Tempting Failure CIC, Latitude
Bacon T.J. (professional mentor), 2014, Mentor to Alethea Raban, UK
Bacon T.J. (artistic director), 2014, TF14, Tempting Failure CIC, Bristol
Bacon T.J. (director), 2013, Requiem, Olympus Theatre, Bristol
Bacon T.J. (masterclass leader) 2013, 5 Day Failure Workshop, The Island, Bristol
Bacon T.J. (artistic director), 2013, TF13, Tempting Failure CIC, Bristol
Bacon T.J. (director), 2012, The Failed Method, Olympus Theatre, Bristol
Bacon T.J. (director), 2012, Mountain Language & New World Order, by Harold Pinter, Taylor Theatre, Gloucestershire
Bacon T.J. (director), 2012, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare, Llanthony Priory
Bacon T.J. (artistic director), 2012, TF12, Tempting Failure CIC, London
Bacon T.J. (director), 2011, Polar Bears, by Mark Haddon - in aid of the charity Mind
Bacon T.J. (director), 2010, Phaedra’s Love, by Sarah Kane, Taylor Theatre, Gloucestershire
Bacon T.J. (director), 2009, 100, by Christopher Heimann, Taylor Theatre, Gloucestershire
Bacon T.J. (director), 2008, Celebration, by Harold Pinter, Taylor Theatre, Gloucestershire
Bacon T.J. (Butoh dancer), 2008, Products of Conception II, (SilverSmith Dance), Nightingale Theatre, Brighton
Bacon T.J. (performer), 2007, [meditation], Wired Up Festival, London
Bacon T.J. (Butoh dancer), 2007, the abject scream, Whitechapel Gallery, London
Bacon T.J. (performer), 2007, avarice + envy, Fuck the Back Row Festival, Camden, London
Bacon T.J. (Butoh dancer), 2006, Products of Conception II (Dir. Lorraine Smith), Laban, London
Bacon T.J. (performer), 2006, pi (version 3), Battersea Arts Centre, London
Bacon T.J. (performer), 2006, Frightened Ones (Dresden Dolls Tour), Cambridge Junction; Cambridge
Bacon T.J. (performer), 2006, The Keeper (Dresden Dolls Tour), The Astoria, London
Bacon T.J. (consultant), 2006, Club Class (FrenchMottershead), Tate Modern, London
Bacon T.J. (performer), 2005, where did all the colour go?, Goldsmiths, London
Bacon T.J. (Butoh dancer), 2005, Forest of Shadows, Chisenhale Dance Space, London
Bacon T.J. (performer), 2005, Deep End (Dir. Geraldine Pilgrim for Corridor), Marshall Street Baths, London
Bacon T.J. (performer), 2003, what AKTION, site specific: Islington, London
Bacon T.J. (performer), 2002, wounDED, East End Collaborations Platform, QMUL, London
Bacon T.J. (performer), 2001, Abjection Monologues & WOTSpring, site specific: Tower Hamlets, London
