a curious invitation last tuesday society
a curious invitation the century club last tuesday society soho london
Behind Bars - Frank Norman

 

BEHIND BARS: Frank Norman’s Prison Paintings Rediscovered
Exhibition runs until the 29th March 2025

The Century Club is proud to present an exhibition of original paintings by the legendary Frank Norman (9 June 1930-23 December 1980), showcasing around 30 works from a man whose life and art captured the grit and glamour of mid-20th century Britain.

Frank Norman’s story is as compelling as his art. Born on the 9th of June 1930, Norman grew up in Barnardo’s Homes, finding his early escape in a variety of jobs, from working in a tomato nursery to joining a circus. His darker turn into petty crime landed him in prison, where he discovered a passion for art during prison-run classes. On his release, he set out to transform his life, becoming a celebrated writer and playwright.

Norman’s prison memoir, Bang to Rights, was a literary sensation, featuring a foreword by none other than Raymond Chandler. This success was followed by his smash-hit musical Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be, which cemented his reputation as a leading voice of his generation. In Soho, he became a fixture of the infamous Colony Room Club, counting Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud among his friends.

The paintings on display, dating predominantly from 1955 to 1985, provide a window into Norman’s creative soul during one of the most transformative decades of his life. His work captures the spirit of an artist whose journey was marked by resilience, reinvention, and unflinching honesty.

This exhibition coincides with a special show at The French House, which features photographs of Soho in the 1960s taken by his friend Jeffrey Bernard to illustrate the book ‘Soho Night and Day’, written by Frank, offering a broader look at the vibrant, chaotic world that inspired Norman’s art and writing.

Viewings by appointment. Please click here to RSVP via email.



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salons at the Century Club Soho