Frank Bowling: What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? — FLAPSS

The question

What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

FB

Frank Bowling

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Recently, as people began to understand what I am trying to do in my painting.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 June 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Steve Jones Welsh television presenter

Were? I'm happiest right now!

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 July 2010 source ↗

Richard Hawley English musician

I've often reached the dizzying heights of ecstasy holding a pint of frothy seasonal ale in Fagan's pub, chatting away with Tom the landlord.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 February 2011 source ↗

Probably during my childhood growing up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, December 2021 source ↗

Jonathan Safran Foer American novelist

Leaving the hospital.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 June 2012 source ↗

More from Frank Bowling

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Question As a child, what career or life did you imagine for yourself? Identity & self

A detective. Or a writer. Or a poet.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 June 2026 source ↗

Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

A fellow artist called me a flaneur!

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 June 2026 source ↗

Question What accomplishment matters most to you? Craft & work

Being able to paint the way I do.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 June 2026 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

In the 1950s I went to the Chelsea Arts Club’s New Year’s Eve ball at the Royal Albert Hall dressed as a Christmas pudding, with swimming trunks under my costume and holly in my hair.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 June 2026 source ↗

Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

Needing order always.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 June 2026 source ↗

Question What thought won't let you sleep? Daily life

My work. What shape will it take?

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 June 2026 source ↗

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