Billy Childish: Punk Icon, Painter, and Unapologetic Individual
Billy Childish, a name synonymous with punk rock authenticity and raw artistic expression, is a man who lives by his own rules. A self-proclaimed “adult” who shuns the limitations of societal expectations, Childish has carved a unique path through the realms of music and art, refusing to be defined by labels or trends.
His dedication to his craft is unwavering. Every Monday, he transforms into a painter, devoting his time and energy to capturing the essence of his vision on canvas. The rest of the week, he is consumed by a myriad of passions, refusing to confine himself to a single creative pursuit.
Childish’s strong sense of morality is evident in his actions. When his father, recently released from prison for drug smuggling, returned to the family home threatening his mother, Childish took decisive action, defending his family with his fists.
“I beat my father up after he got out of prison for drug smuggling in my early 20s,” he recalls, a stark reminder of his unwavering principles.
Despite finding success as a painter later in life, Childish remains grounded and harbors no envy towards those who have achieved greater fame.
“I don’t admire or envy anybody’s success. I pity people who have had a lot of success,” he states, believing that success often comes at the expense of genuine connection and fulfillment.
His approach to networking is refreshingly transparent. He speaks his mind, even if it ruffles feathers, choosing authenticity over calculated maneuvering.
“My networking is not really networking," he admits, “If I network and say what I feel about things, it has the total polar opposite effect. It’s like my wife says: ‘You really are so much like you.’”
Childish believes the true heart of humanity lies in individual creativity.
"I belong to a tradition of creativity. I believe in individual creativity being the heart and soul of mankind," he declares, emphasizing the importance of embracing one’s unique voice.
At 50, he experienced a breakthrough as a painter, his talent finally recognized.
“I got lucky as a painter when I was 50,” he reflects.
Yet, he longs for a similar breakthrough in music.
“If Tarantino wants to scour through my albums and use 20 of my songs in his next film, I wouldn’t stop him. I’d quite like to be an overnight success in music after 40 years, too."
His journey has been paved with unwavering determination.
“You earn your right to fart at the table,” he asserts, “I’ve earned the right to be me by sheer bloody-minded persistence.”
Despite facing his share of doubts and challenges, Childish finds solace in his own company.
"I idolise myself. I don’t waste my time idolizing other things. I recommend it. It’s a spiritual path. You’re meant to love yourself, despite your inadequacies.”
Reflecting on his past and the punk scene he embraced, Childish remembers declaring he would take his own life.
“During punk I told people that I was going to kill myself," he confesses, "I didn’t think I could live beyond 21. I thought I was going to be born into a world of fairness, where adults were adults. But no. I still struggle with that.”
His words serve as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles many face in a world often lacking in fairness and understanding.
Billy Childish’s autobiography, *"To Ease My Troubled Mind:
The Authorised Unauthorised History of Billy Childish"* by Ted Kessler, delves deeper into the complexities of this fascinating individual.
( Buy it for $27 from GuardianBookshop.com
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## Billy Childish: A Life Lived on His Own Terms
**World-Today-News Exclusive Interview**
**W.T.N.:** Welcome, Billy. Your career is a tapestry woven with raw talent, unwavering dedication, and a refusal to conform. How do you define “authenticity” in the context of your artistic journey?
**Billy Childish:** Authenticity, mate, it’s about doing what you believe in, no matter what anyone else says. It’s staying true to yourself, even when the world tries to box you in. It’s about creating art that comes from the heart, not from some trendy formula. You either have it,or you don’t. I don’t worry about pleasing anyone but myself.
**W.T.N.:** you’ve been called a punk icon, but your artistry extends beyond music. How do your passions for painting, writng, and music interweave in your creative process?
**Billy Childish:** They’re all connected, see? They’re just different expressions of the same energy. I might be playing a riff on the guitar, and suddenly I get a visual image that I need to paint.Or a poem will spring to mind while I’m working on a canvas.It’s all part of the same creative flow.
**W.T.N.:** You’ve spoken openly about taking a stand against societal pressures. Your recent actions in defending your mother from your father speak volumes about your sense of justice.
**Billy childish:** Family is everything. When my old man got out of the clink and started threatening my mum,I didn’t hesitate. You protect what’s yours,no matter what. It ain’t about being tough, it’s about doing what’s right.
**W.T.N.:** Your unwavering commitment to your craft is evident in your weekly routine. Why have you chosen to dedicate Mondays to painting?
**Billy Childish:** It’s about discipline, mate. Having a routine helps me focus.
Mondays are for painting, pure and simple. I get up, I go to my studio, and I loose myself in the canvas. It’s my connection to the world, my way of making sense of things.
**W.T.N.:** What advice would you give to aspiring artists struggling to find their voice in a world increasingly dominated by commercialism and trends?
**Billy Childish:** Don’t chase trends, mate. Ignore the noise. Find your own voice. It might not be popular, it might not be easy, but it will be yours. and that’s all that matters. Be bold, be honest, be authentic. That’s the only way to truly create something meaningful.
**W.T.N.:** Thank you for sharing your insights with us, Billy.
**Billy Childish:** Cheers, mate.
**W.T.N.:** Billy Childish, an artist who lives and breathes authenticity, continues to inspire generations to embrace their own unique path nonetheless of societal pressures and expectations. His dedication to his craft and his unwavering commitment to his personal code of ethics make him a truly unique and compelling figure in the world of art and music.
