Billy Childish

Billy Childish is an English artist, poet, musician, and writer known for his uncompromising approach to his creative pursuits. Born Steven John Hamper in 1959 in Chatham, Kent, Childish was expelled from secondary school at the age of 16 and began his artistic career shortly thereafter.

Childish's art practice spans a range of mediums, including painting, printmaking, and sculpture. He is known for his raw and expressionistic style, which often features bold brushwork, vivid colors, and gestural marks. His work is influenced by a variety of artistic movements, including Expressionism, Abstract Expressionism, and Outsider Art.

In addition to his visual art, Childish is also a prolific poet and writer, having published over 40 collections of poetry and several novels. He is also a musician and has released numerous albums with his bands, Thee Headcoats and The Buff Medways.

Despite his refusal to adhere to the conventions of mainstream art and culture, Childish has achieved significant critical acclaim and his work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, including the ICA in London, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, and the Migros Museum of Contemporary Art in Zurich.

Today, Childish continues to live and work in Kent, where he operates his own press and publishes his own poetry and fiction. He remains committed to his uncompromising vision and continues to be a prominent figure in the world of outsider art and culture.