Frank Bowling on whisky, Christmas pudding costume, and his Fitzwilliam show

In a recent interview with The Guardian, 92-year-old Frank Bowling reflects on his extensive life and artistic journey. Originally from British Guiana (now Guyana), he relocated to the UK at the age of 19, served in the RAF, and earned a silver medal upon graduating from the Royal College of Art in 1962. In 1966, he moved to New York, where he was awarded a Guggenheim fellowship and showcased his "map paintings" at the Whitney Museum in 1971. Notably, he became the first Black artist elected as a Royal Academician in 2005. A retrospective of his work was held at Tate Britain in 2019, and his exhibition, Seeking the Sublime, is on display at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, until January 2027. Bowling resides in London with his wife and shares insights about his life, including his fondness for Lagavulin 16-year-old whisky (which his doctor disapproves of), an embarrassing moment at the Chelsea Arts Club ball in the 1950s dressed as a Christmas pudding, his fear of poverty, and his hope to reunite with his parents in heaven. He states that he "needs order always" and considers his ability to paint as his greatest accomplishment.