Billy Childish at ICA

BILLY CHILDISH
unknowable but certain
17th febrary-18th April 2010,
ICA the Mall

The exhibition was a delight to behold for me and was better than I could have expected. The exhibitoin is in three parts the lower gallery exhibiting his paintings, the concourse features signs on board which relate to a series of manifestos written by Childish. THe Upper Gallery presents Childish's work as a musician writer, poet Filmaker and woodcut printer, and covers a period of over 30 years. also on the upper gallery is a yellow suit worn by Billy Childishas part of a seris of performance protests for the British Art Resistance.
Billy Childish's work appears to be greatlyinfluenced in style to Van Gogh( he studied his work and did a series of paintings as a homage to Van Gogh)Its interesting that they should both be having anexhibition at the same time in London.Billy Childish uses paint which is swirled thickly with texture on unprimed linen canvas with the linen showing through in places. There is a rich vein of colour running through his paint in a very subtle way in that is not immediatly obvious, but it gives it even more depth and richness.
Childish's poetry was easy to relate to and understand in its simplicity and unaffectedness much like his painting. His books of poetry are well designed even though his work and punk music gives the impression of a nihilism. he is quite obviously a perfectionist.
GO AND SEE IT!