Turkeywalk

Frank Bowling's introduction to London’s cultural scene came from his early involvement with artists who patronised the King’s Arms on the Fulham Road, known to all as ‘Finch’s’. While meeting the likes of Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud, it was the publican Jack O’Connell who Bowling recognised as a firm supporter of his work. Turkeywalk is fresh to the market having remained in the O’Connell family’s private collection. Early on in Bowling’s career, the publican recognised Bowling’s talent and sponsored his place at the Royal College of Art in 1962. Over the years, the paternal relationship became one of great friendship, both godfathering the other’s son.

The artist referred to O’Connell as Uncle Jack, later titling his 1989 painting Fishes, Wishes and Uncle Jack, which was exhibited in Bowling’s 2019 retrospective at Tate Britain. As well as gratefully acknowledging his friend through his work, Bowling encouraged O’Connell’s interest in collecting, describing how he ‘amassed a group of paintings that I called the ‘O’Connell Family Art Collection’ (private correspondence with the artist, August 2024).