by Jenni Horn

jhorn@thekmgroup.co.uk

An exhibition has opened in London charting the 30 year career of Chatham artist Billy Childish.

Childish is a cult figure with an international following, but this exhibition is the first time a public institution has attempted to encompass every aspect of his career so far.

The painter, poet, and songwriter has published more than 40 collections of poetry, recorded more than 100 full-length independent LPs and produced more than 2,000 paintings. He founded the Stuckist international art movement in the late 1990s and is known for his explicit and prolific work.

His new exhibition, entitled Unknowable but Certain, opened at The Institute of Contemporary Arts in London last week and runs until Thursday, April 18. It includes a gallery of recent paintings and a multitude of records, books, pamphlets and posters that have been designed and produced by Childish.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a number of events, including performances and readings by Childish himself and some of his collaborators.

The first event takes place on Thursday from 8.30pm. Childish will be reading a number of his poems.

The evening will also feature films by Childish, a less well-known aspect of his output. In 2002, he formed the Chatham Super 8 Cinema, a group of friends that produces short films with a second-hand camera purchased at Rochester market, and the evening will include a number of their recent works. Entry £5 or £2 for concessions.