In August 1996 Elms Lesters Painting Rooms staged the first ever multi-media exhibition celebrating the life and work of American realist writer CHARLES BUKOWSKI.
The two week exhibition, conceived and curated by Paul Jones of the Elms Lesters Painting Rooms, included a series of previously unpublished photographs of Bukowski by Joan Gannij, digitally enhanced IRIS prints by Michael Montfort and Giorgio Moroder and family photographs selected by Bukowski’s widow Linda Lee Bukowski.
Playing throughout the exhibition were selected videos and documentaries, and audio tapes of Bukowski at readings.
On display were personal objects and clothing generously loaned by Linda Lee Bukowski. To celebrate Bukowski’s birthday on 16th August there were public performances of two of his short stories “Love for $17.50” and “Loneliness” with music by Don Preston and directed by actor / writer Clive Saunders of the Blue Bus Company.
Starring in order: Tina Preston, Mick Collins, Rohana Hayes and Clive Saunders.
These scenes were adapted from Bukowski’s book of short stories “South of No North” published by Black Sparrow Press.
They were first performed as part of ‘Scenes from the Buried Life’ by Clive Saunders and Justin Rosenholtz at the Man in the Moon Theatre in April 1993 – later transferring to the 11 Wardour Street Theatre.
‘Scenes from the Buried Life’ was also performed in 1995 at Al’s National Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles with Clive Saunders, Tina Preston and Mark Houghton.