His arrival may have been a little less crazed than the Posh and Becks media circus, but Billy Childish's much-anticipated show, which features "some woodcuts, a few old a few new," and "a couple of small canvases of San Francisco," is making some serious waves in the Bay Area. Why? Because of the controversial character behind these dark, gritty pieces.

A published author and co-founder of the Stuckist anti-conceptual art movement, Childish has collaborated with famed artist and filmmaker Larry Clark, and he has been name checked in lyrics by everyone from Kurt Cobain to Kylie Minogue. Now that his much-publicized spat with Jack White of The White Stripes has subsided (Billy claims to have "bigger collection of hats, a better mustache, a more blistering guitar sound and a fully developed sense of humor" than Jack), the part-time garage rocker is continuing on with his latest band-of-the-moment, The Musicians of the British Empire.

Childish may be a somewhat kooky Renaissance Man, expressing himself in myriad channels for what he calls, "a chance of catching a fish and not getting bored," but he's also a prolific art world talent whose work you won't want to miss. Be sure to check out what the San Francisco Bay Guardian is calling one of the best gallery and museum shows this fall before it closes on September 30th!

See Billy Childish at Needles & Pens, 3253 16th Street, (415) 255-1534.

- Barbara Roan, Gen Art Arts & Event Coordinator

Similar Topics:art, San Francisco

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