Billy Childish: looking at paintings

2 Jul-3 Sep 2023

Billy Childish, venus jupiter (2023), Oil and charcoal on linen, 183 x 305 cm

Overview

Carl Freedman Gallery is proud to announce a major solo exhibition by Billy Childish (b. 1959, Kent, UK).

obaying
the
painting 

it
would
be
most pleasant
to
paint the paintings
i
like
but
instead
i
have
to
obay
the
silent
command
and
paint
the painting
i
paint

 
Billy Childish is an extraordinary and prolific artist. His paintings, woodcuts, poetry, writing and music share a common honesty that, rather than being nombrilistic, is deeply compelling and idiosyncratic. Childish’s practice is informed by a tireless curiosity for themes as varied as war, the history and topography of his local and personal environment, social protest, hill walking and religious philosophy. Without the need for validation or approval from the art world, Childish has developed an authentic, independent and defiant position within culture that is admired by many worldwide.

Billy Childish (b. 1959, UK) live and works in Kent, UK

Childish attended Medway College of Design, Kent in 1977 and Saint Martin’s School of Art, London in 1978. Solo exhibitions of his work have been organized at Lehmann Maupin in New York (2022 ), London (2020), New York (2020) and Seoul (2020); Neugerriemschneider, Berlin, Germany (2018); Villa Schöningen, Berlin, Germany (2017); Goss-Michael Foundation, Dallas, TX (2017); Rochester Art Gallery, Kent, United Kingdom (2016); Opelvillen Rüsselsheim, Frankfurt, Germany (2016); White Columns, New York (2010); and the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London (2010). Select group exhibitions featuring his work include BILLY CHILDISH, HARRY ADAMS and EDGEWORTH JOHNSTONE: Our Friend Larionov, Pushkin House, London (2014); Paintings Sweet Paintings, Neuer Aachener Kunstverein, Aache, Germany (2014); and British Art Show 5, City Art Centre, Edinburgh (2000).

Artists