Sue Tilley, the subject of a painting by Lucian Freud that sold for £25 million, has shared her recollections of posing for the artist and her subsequent life. Tilley stated that her involvement with Freud's work occurred by chance, and despite the painting's significant global profile, her life by the sea remained largely unchanged.
She recounted experiences of champagne lunches and visiting Freud's studio, which she described as "scruffy." Tilley also rejected the characterization of herself as the artist's "muse," expressing a dislike for the term and stating it did not reflect her role. She described her days as typically "very mundane," involving activities like watching television, going to the beach, and chatting with friends.
These periods of routine were punctuated by what she termed "bizarre" events, during which she would be busy for about a week before the activity concluded. Tilley's recollections coincide with the Hastings Contemporary's new exhibition featuring works by Henry Moore and Lucian Freud. The exhibition includes an etching depicting Sue Tilley, titled "Woman with an Arm Tattoo," and is scheduled to run until September 13.
Tilley's account offers a personal perspective on her relationship with the artist and the impact of her inclusion in his body of work. Her continued life in Hastings emphasizes a grounded existence away from the art world's spotlight.