Billy Childish U. K., b. 1959

Billy Childish, born Steven John Hamper on December 1, 1959, in Chatham, Kent, is a versatile British artist known for his work as a painter, author, poet, photographer, filmmaker, singer, and guitarist. His artistic journey began in an unconventional manner. As an undiagnosed dyslexic, he left secondary school at the age of sixteen and started working as an apprentice stonemason at Chatham Dockyard.

 

During his six months at the dockyard, Childish created approximately 600 drawings, which he referred to as being made in "the tea huts of hell." These drawings eventually earned him admission to Saint Martin's School of Art. However, his rebellious nature and outspoken views led to his expulsion in 1982.

 

Childish's work is characterized by an introspective, autobiographical, and deeply emotional style. He works intuitively and quickly, making sparse marks on raw canvas while keeping much of it visible. His subjects are often drawn from his immediate surroundings, including the River Medway, self-portraits, the chalk cliffs of Margate, and images of his family.

 

As a self-proclaimed "radical traditionalist," Childish finds inspiration in artists who worked outside conventional movements, particularly Vincent van Gogh, Kurt Schwitters, and Edvard Munch. His paintings frequently depict his immediate environment, showcasing birch forests, pastoral English landscapes, and portraits of people he knows or admires.

 

In addition to painting, Childish has established himself as a prolific creator across multiple disciplines. His musical career began in 1977 with the formation of The Pop Rivets in response to the punk rock movement. Since then, he has recorded over 130 albums, leading various bands, including Thee Milkshakes, Thee Mighty Caesars, and Thee Headcoats. His music has influenced numerous artists, with notable admirers including Kurt Cobain, Beck, and Jack White. As a writer, Childish has published five novels and more than 40 collections of poetry.

 

Childish's work has received significant institutional recognition, with exhibitions at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, White Columns in New York, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. His paintings are part of several museums' permanent collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. In 2014, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from the University of Kent. Most recently, in 2024, his paintings were exhibited at the He Art Museum in China and Neugerriemschneider in Berlin. Despite early associations with the Young British Artists (YBA) movement, Childish has maintained his position as an independent artist. His prolific output across various creative disciplines and his unwavering commitment to his artistic vision have established him as a significant figure in contemporary British art.