Heroes #1 (Billy Childish), 2012
Billy Childish is about as far from Bowie as you can imagine, musically. Childish favours hard, fast garage rock, which Bowie’s never attempted (unless you include Tin Machine, but they’re more of an aircraft hangar band). Childish’s work is honest, and stripped of as much artifice as possible – when I first saw him perform with Thee Headcoats in the early nineties it was like seeing a proper punk band. They were full steam ahead, no stopping them exciting – they were messy and fun. The music’s stayed like that (with various band line-ups he’s recording a staggering number of records – he favours vinyl). And his art is like that too. According to Wikipedia “he is a consistent advocate for amateurism and free emotional expression and was a co-founder of the Stuckism art movement with Charles Thomson in 1999.” He left stuckism behind some time ago.
Childish paints raw, expressionistic, emotionally-charged figurative paintings. They’re great, and act as a nice antidote to conceptual art.
Anyway, I met him in the street yesterday and he very graciously agreed to a couple of shots. I had to crouch in the road to get them, and Billy kept watch to make sure I didn’t get run over. Some heroes do not disappoint.
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Another nice photograph… I loved. Thank you, love, nia
Thanks, Nia!
Oh, sigh. Another gorgeous (and timeless) photograph. What a lovely portrait of Billy Childish!! Heck, yes, it’s timeless. I also love his dapper garb and mustache. Great expression, too. Enjoy the weekend! Theadora
Aw, thanks, Theadora! That’s so nice of you. Yes, Billy Childish (in all his incarnations), is naturally stylish, I think. From what I gather from interviews &c he’s a stranger to compromise. Enjoy your weekend too! Richard
I think street photography is about character. I see some street photography, and I think “why”, they are people who could be anyone, that don’t have any character. I love your street photography, because it always brings a smile to my face, and they always seem to be people who do have that character. I think you are doing a fabulous job with this. Perfect example in todays post, wonderful.
Thanks so much, Leanne! That’s really nice of you to say, and I’m really glad you like this. Making people smile is real result.
an important portrait and overall excellent post.
Thanks, Mobius. Yes, it’s definitely an important portrait for me – the first street shot where I’ve known a little of the history behind the person. I think maybe it changed the way I took the shot.
Love it! Has anyone else noticed that Andy Weatherall has shamelessly appropriated Billy Childish’s sartorial style? A very quick image Google will show you what I mean…
Richard – if you haven’t already read it, I suspect you will enjoy We Can Be Heroes by Graham Smith – great photos by Graham Smith of various fashion disasters and a few triumphs of the 80’s with text by Chris Sullivan.
Oh – and I managed to get one more photo in to celebrate the end of Bowie week. Hope you enjoy it: http://walkingforequilibrium.com/2012/06/29/the-drowned-girl/
That’s a great post! Thanks – I’ll see if I can track down the book (and Andy Weatherall).
Brilliant and timeless. great feel to this image and a fantastic portrait that really captures the man.
Thanks so much – I think his warmth comes through.
Great shot this..and I agree, so timeless!
Thanks, Cath!
What a coup. Fantastic subject and fantastic photo. I agree with Leanne, and think your street photography has an edge to it that is intriguing 🙂
Indeed – my luck was in that day. Thanks so much, EllaDee – I’m glad you think it has an edge – that’s very nice to hear.
Great photo. Kind of a French peasant look to him.
Thanks. Yes, spot on.
You capture so much character, Richard. I love this photograph!
Thank you, Cheryl. I take that as a big compliment – I absolutely love what you’re doing with your blog – unique, atmospheric and wonderful it is.
Thank you! 😀