Detritus

Detritus is a book, artwork, and cultural record of the studio of painter Francis Bacon, conceived of by Brian Clarke, and published in association with the Estate of Francis Bacon and Dublin City Gallery in Ireland in 2006. Produced in an edition of 25, with one artist's proof, this work takes the form of a hand-made facsimile of an old leather suitcase and a range of objects from Bacon’s studio, the entire contents of which were donated to The Hugh Lane Gallery by John Edwards, Bacon's heir, in 1998.

This work stems from Clarke’s role as executor of the Francis Bacon estate. Clarke first arrived at the idea to reproduce for the work from certain materials that he had removed from the studio. Clarke explains in his essay Detritus:

‘The experience of spending time in Bacon’s studio and becoming familiar with the material that inspired him altered me. I have a desire to share that remarkable moment. It can, in the absence of spatial experience only be in part, but Detritus comes very close to replicating what it was like for me, examining this material for the first time after carrying it home from Reece Mews.’