Billy Childish Live Painting Performance at Carl Freedman Gallery
Billy Childish performed a live painting session at Carl Freedman Gallery on the final day of his solo exhibition 'This is the Universe… Big Isn’t It?'. The exhibition title references the film 'A Matter of Life and Death'. Childish's landscapes and abstracted trees, stones, clouds, and moon are rendered in oil and charcoal on linen, with visible qi (vital energy). The artist describes his task as recognizing and giving form to what already exists. A passage by Swami Dayananda Saraswati in the exhibition booklet reinforces the idea that all is given. Works include 'moon at lake tahoe' (2026, 183 x 153 cm) and 'walking stones' (2025, 153 x 183 cm).
Key facts
- Billy Childish gave a live painting performance at Carl Freedman Gallery.
- The performance took place on the final day of his solo exhibition 'This is the Universe… Big Isn’t It?'.
- The exhibition title comes from the film 'A Matter of Life and Death'.
- Paintings include 'moon at lake tahoe' (2026, oil and charcoal on linen, 183 x 153 cm) and 'walking stones' (2025, oil and charcoal on linen, 153 x 183 cm).
- Childish's work emphasizes qi (vital energy) and a spiritual dialogue with nature.
- The artist states: 'Everything already exists; the artist’s task is to recognise it, accept it, and give it form.'
- The exhibition booklet includes a passage by Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
- The exhibition was held at Carl Freedman Gallery in 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Billy Childish
Institutions
- Carl Freedman Gallery