He was a nightclub promoter, model, muse, fashion designer, performer and, of course artist – in his short but dazzling life Leigh Bowery created a legacy that could never be forgotten. That legacy is now being recognised in the anticipated monographic exhibition at the Tate, opening this week.

Bowery, who was born and raised in a suburb of Melbourne, Australia and came to the UK in 1980 in emerged initially from London’s throbbing 1980s nightlife scene, where he was a known character on the scene, thanks to his outrageous, over the top outfits. His costumes soon attracted attention and he regularly appeared in adverts in magazines and on TV. In 1985 he started a club in Leceister Square, the now legendary Taboo, where the revellers included the likes of John Galliano, Boy George and George Michael.

In the late 1980s Bowery started to create performances, just as shocking as his clubbing outfits, and just as creative – perhaps his best-known was his Birthing piece, in which he simulated giving birth to his friend and later wife, Nicola Bateman. Bowery was just 33 when he died of AIDs-related in 1994. The full range of the fearless, daring and hilarious works he produced in this short and remarkable life is highlighted for the first time in this Tate show.