TOP by Claye Bowler at Queer Britain
New mayor exhibition opened at Queer Britain, the UK’s first and only LGBTQ+ museum. TOP by Claye Bowler documents the artist’s 7-year journey to get his gender-affirming top surgery.
(Featured image in courtesy of Queer Britain)
TOP by Claye Bowler
Image in courtesy of Queer Britain
Photo Credit: Rahil Ahmad
TOP by Claye Bowler opened on the 10th September 2025 and follows Bowler’s incredible 7-year journey through the UK healthcare system from the very beginning.
The display is disguised as a museum store and documents the artist’s whole journey from his first visit to a GP, his actual surgery and stages of healing to his recovery revisions.
Image in courtesy of Queer Britain
Photo Credit: Rahil Ahmad
There are sculptures, drawings, photos, letters and other collected objects on display to bring Bowler’s incredible journey – and what a transformation like this means to a trans person – closer to the audience, not just physically but emotionally.
About Claye Bowler
Claye Bowler – Image in courtesy of Queer Britain
Photo Credit: Rahil Ahmad
Claye Bowler is a London-based artist. He uses sculptural practices to highlight and document stories that are not historically collected, preserve meaningful memories and the remnants of humanity. He often works with narratives of queerness and disability.
Bowler has a strong connection to sound and music which he often integrates into his works using field of recording and traditional British folk music and songs.
Bowler debuted at the Henry Moore Institute in 2022, and different elements of TOP are now in the collections of Arts Council England and the Wellcome Collection.
The exhibition of his artworks is now open for everyone thanks to the Weston Loan Programme, the UK’s first funding scheme that enable smaller and regional museums to borrow artworks and artefacts from national collections.
Image in courtesy of Queer Britain
Photo Credit: Rahil Ahmad
Claye Bowler said: “When creating Top, I initially thought it was about dysphoria, but through sharing it and engaging with visitors during its first showing, I realised it’s actually a celebration of being trans and overcoming struggle. I’m excited to share the work again with Queer Britain visitors, allowing people to experience this joy again. The work also comments on queerness in a museum context, of the purpose of museums, and of collecting objects. As the first museum dedicated to LGBTQ+ stories, Queer Britain offers the perfect context for this work to resonate and question these ideas.”
Vistors to TOP exhibition can also see a display from the Museum of Transology, the UK’s most significant collection of objects representing trans, non-binary and intersex people’s lives.
About Queer Britain
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Queer Britain is the UK’s one and only museum dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community, their lives and their history. The museum’s mission is to reclaim and preserve queer people’s stories and objects to educate about what it means to be part of the LGBTQ+ community today and how this community impacts our culture.
Queer Britain is an independent museum that relies of the generosity of its supporters through donations, memberships and corporate sponsorships.
Image in courtesy of Queer Britain
Queer Britain is proud to be supported by iconic singer, songwriter and pianist, Elton John and David Furnish as patrons.
How to Support Queer Britain
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Anyone can support Queer Britain by becoming a patron or through donation.
If you wish to become a patron, you can choose from different tiers (bronze, silver, gold or platinum) best suit to your budget.
You can make a donation, starting from a minimum donation of £0.30 by simply filling out the form on Queer Britain’s official website.
Another easy way to support the museum is to book a ticket and pay any amount you can at the checkout. The recommended donation is £10 but you can choose a smaller or bigger amount. It entirely depends on your budget and what you can afford.
Queer Britain is a UK registered charity (no. 1180240)
Queer Britain Shop
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Make sure you visit the cute little shop within the museum before leaving because they have an amazing selection of exclusive products and unique gifts.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Queer Britain also supports independent artists from the LGBTQ+ community, including candle makers, painters and other artists whose incredibly unique products are being sold at the museum shop.
Practical Info
Image in courtesy of Queer Britain
Address
Queer Britain | 2 Granary Square, London N1C 4BH
Opening Times
TOP by Claye Bowler – 10th Sept – 23rd Nov 2025
The museum is open Wed – Sun: 12pm – 6pm
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