Dr. T. J. Bacon
Pronouns: xe/xem (be an ally)
From 2001 to 2020 their artwork and writing was produced under the name, Thomas John Bacon. From 2020, xe now only uses T. J. Bacon for scholarly articles and publishing. All artwork is produced under the name, TJB.
Preferably known as TJB, xe is a non-binary member of #TeamMDX, based in the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries and is co-chair of the Middlesex Staff Gender Network.
Xe is programme leader of the Foundation Year in Performing Arts and is part of the Department of Performing Arts, teaching alongside xis colleagues in Theatre Arts to deliver content on all undergraduate and post-graduate programmes. Xe currently teaches performance art, queer theory, phenomenology and industry practices.
Xis main focus is upon novel applications of phenomenology in the study of performance art, specifically body art. Originally informed by the phenomenology of Merleau-Ponty, xis artistic-philosophy has argued for a queer reimagining of Heideggerian thought and the wider application of a xis own and Ahmed’s queer phenomenology in the study and making of performance. In 2016 T. J. Bacon’s doctoral thesis confirmed xis findings for a multiplicity of Self/s, perceived through an investment in physical, psychological or aesthetic risk.
2022 will see the publication of xis first monograph, An Introduction to the Phenomenology of Performance Art: SELF/s for Intellect, UK.
Xe is currently co-editing with Chelsea Coon a new publication for Taylor & Francis: Routledge on performance art and phenomenology due for release by 2023.
TJB has been exhibiting performance art work since 2001 and internationally as a multidisciplinary artist since 2009 particularly through Europe and East coast USA. Xis work can be located within the framework of performance art and philosophical/phenomenological investigations that look to challenge perception, alongside the assumed liminal barriers of body-based art. Xe is also the founder and artistic director of Tempting Failure, which produces the the London Biennial of International Performance Art.
Dr T. J. Bacon welcomes doctoral applications, especially in performance art, queer phenomenology, curatorial practice, and radical approaches to reimagining scholarly practice. Xe also welcomes enquiries from those wishing to be co-supervised between the departments of Performing Arts, Design and Visual Arts.
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
