This exhibition, presented as a museum store, draws on Bowler’s experience as a museum registrar to create an archive documenting his seven-year journey through the UK’s healthcare system to access gender-affirming top surgery. It chronicles everything from the artist’s initial visit to a general practitioner (GP) to his recovery after surgery revisions.
Featuring drawings, films, photographs, letters, sculptures, and collected objects, the installation investigates the political priorities of museum collecting, delving into the emotions and physicality of being trans within a fictionalised archive.
The installation “Top” was first debuted at the Henry Moore Institute in 2022, and since then, various elements of the work have been acquired by Arts Council England and the Wellcome Collection. This display brings together the complete installation for the first time since its original showing.
“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, on the purpose of museums, and on 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.”
Claye Bowler, artist.
Andrew Given, Chief Executive of Queer Britain, said: “We are delighted to bring this important work to London for the first time, and for our visitors to experience a story of trans joy. A celebration of the trans community is needed right now – their voices are being silenced, and their right to exist peacefully in society is being challenged. Trans rights are human rights, and the community will always have a place at Queer Britain Museum”
Visitors to Top can explore a display from the Museum of Transology, which houses the UK’s most significant collection of objects representing the lives of trans, non-binary, and intersex individuals. Additionally, this is the final opportunity to experience the “We Are Queer Britain” exhibition, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the UK’s first Pride March. This exhibition will close in December to make way for a brand-new exhibition opening in February 2026, in celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month.
Top features an events programme including a conversation with Claye Bowler and E-J Scott (curator/creator of the Museum of Transology) on Wednesday, 17 September at 6:30pm, held at W Hotel London.
Top by Claye Bowler is at Queer Britain, 10 September – 23 November 2025, 2 Granary Square, London N1C 4BH, United Kingdom
