Unknowable But Certain

(poems 2008 - 2009)

by Billy Childish

Published by Blackheath Books

Publication date: August 2009

New poems from Chatham's finest. Cover woodcuts by Bill Hamper in 4 different letterpressed styles. 

About the author:

Born in Chatham, Kent, Billy Childish is one of the most influential and unrecognised artists of his generation. Commercial success has been both eschewed and denied.

After leaving school at 16, an undiagnosed dyslexic, he was an apprentice stonemason in the Royal Naval Dockyards at Chatham.

In 1977 he started writing and playing music in the emerging punk rock scene.

In 1978 and 1980 Childish studied painting at St. Martins School of Art where he became friends with the artist Peter Doig.

After expulsion from St. Martins in 1981 Childish was both boyfriend and mentor to the artist Tracey Emin who has described him both as ‘a major influence’ and ‘Charles Manson’

After 15 years of alcoholism Childish quit drinking in the early 90’as and started his practise of Buddhist meditation and yoga, which he continues with to this day. 

Name checked by many commercially successful musicians, Jack White once famously appeared on Top of the Pop’s with Childish’s name written on his forearm, though Mister White has subsequently accused Childish of ‘bitterness’ and ‘plagiarism’

During his 33 year career Childish has penned 4 novels, over 40 collections of his confessional poetry, painted many thousands of paintings and recorded in excess of 100 full-length LP records.

In 2004 Childish refused the offer to appear on Channel 4’s Celebrity Big Brother.

Childish continues to live write and paint in Chatham.

Edition: Numbered edition of 200 (1st 100 signed by the author with a gallows symbol 2nd 100 stamped by the author).

ISBN-10: 1-906099-19-7
ISBN-13: 978-1-906099-19-0