On Christmas Day in 1908, a child born in London's drab suburbs was given the incredibly ordinary Christian name of Dennis Pratt. But this child knew right away that the ordinary was not for him. In due time Pratt would give himself a new name, one that befit his true persona: Quentin Crisp. Cr

Bright, Charming, Ebullient, Feminine, Queer, Solo performance, Witty

Chila Kumari Burman was raised by East Indians who emigrated to the impoverished Bootle district of Liverpool in the '50s. She was taught early and young to look for identity between the cracks of culture. Burman uses memorabilia from her past -- shards of humor, pain, and the unexplained -- to

Bright, Collage, Feminist, In-your-face, Political art, Quirky

Comfortable flamboyance is the key to the fashion designs of Paul Smith. In his hands, bright colors and floral prints seem natural and even inviting. He embraces embellishment and extravagance while still paying heed to utilitarian goals, designing loose-fitting, ephemeral, yet sharp clothes that hi

Bright, Ebullient, Tribal, Urban, Youth culture

Giotto di Bondone, whom art historians designate the first painter of the Italian Renaissance, was apparently discovered while sketching sheep. A well-known Florentine artist looked over the boy's shoulder and was impressed by what he saw -- so impressed that he persuaded Giotto's father to let the l

Bright, Classical, Huge, Joyful, Monumental, Religious, Renaissance art