In 2008, Lucian Freud’s Benefits Supervisor Sleeping broke a world record for the most expensive painting sold by a living artist. While this sale turned Freud into a household name, the woman featured in Freud’s painting has been unjustly overlooked as an integral part of what makes the work so remarkable.

In this ArtMuse episode, we give Sue her rightful dues in our appreciation of Freud’s famed work. But Sue has lived a robust and adventure-filled life outside of her role as Lucian Freud’s model. Though a benefits supervisor by day, Sue was a club girl by night, and could be found in London’s most notorious nightclubs of the 1980’s, alongside icons like Boy George, and was at the heart of London’s New Romantic movement.

The time is far overdue for Sue’s riveting life story to be shared, and for us to be lucky enough to experience a small fraction of the magic that is Sue Tilley.

ArtMuse is produced by Kula Production Company.

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ArtMuse is produced by Kula Production Company.

Today’s episode was written by host Grace Anna.

There are accompanying images, resources and suggestions for further reading on the ArtMuse website and Instagram. 

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