Boy George

In his electrifying debut collection with Castle Fine Art, discover Fame, a series of four signed limited editions featuring some of the most influential creatives of our time, and an array of incredible original artworks that honour his commitment to pop culture and the punk attitude!

Music icons Prince, Madonna and his creative hero, David Bowie, who influenced him to begin his artistic journey from a young age, are portrayed alongside his own self-portrait from his Culture Club era. Describing his creative process, the artist admits he is almost 'disrespectful' to the traditional methods of painting and drawing while challenging the conventional view of beauty through distorted shapes and dramatic disorder.

With a daring artistic expression, no material is off limits for the artist. He uses a range of unconventional materials for his original artworks, creating a visual feast that bursts out of the frame!

Although his commercial success is undeniable, Boy George has always pioneered the alternative. Surrounded by artists, designers, models and performers for most of his life, many of whom were underground visionaries, their subversive influence can be seen in his art.

“So many great people go totally unnoticed. I don't have a regimented view of beauty. Making something distorted and slightly ugly is much more pleasing to me because I like it when things are a little out of place.”

This anarchic attitude can be seen in his artistic process. Often approaching the canvas without a clear vision of the final image, he creates his work organically and intuitively, using an archive of materials from his studio and a highly tactile application method to add a sense of spirit to each piece.

“I love modern art and conceptual ideas. It makes you feel something, and that is the point of all art. It's personal and guttural.”

A true maximalist, no material is off limits for Boy George.

Diamond dust, zippers, beads, studs, safety pins, fabrics and, of course, sequins – his original works are a visual feast bursting out of the frame. “Sequins create drama, they give you the light”, he says.

‘Punk DIY’ has been a staple part of Boy George’s style since he was a teenager, when he and his mum would recreate couture outfits on their home sewing machine. Throughout the 1980s, he worked with some of the country’s leading punk fashion designers and would often go ‘mudlarking’ along the River Thames to create his one-of-a-kind looks.

“We'd go to the Thames and pick up things that were washed up on the river; bits of rubber, chains, animal skulls, whatever it may be, and we’d make clothing, art, jewellery out of it. So, there are a lot of connections to my own history and the art that I create.”

Boy George has bridged fashion and art throughout his career. Much like his late friend Leigh Bowery, one of the most prominent performance artists to emerge from London‘s subculture in the 1980s, he uses texture, colour and humour to produce epic creations that keep you intrigued. 

Painting unlocks a freedom across other creative outlets for Boy George, namely his music. By applying his unconventional method of painting to his songwriting, his music is more instinctive and authentic than ever.

There are many parallels between the titles of his artworks and his songs; “Art is lyrical, and lyrics are like paintings”, he says.

Fellow artist and musician, Bob Dylan has always been a huge influence for him, lyrically. And for many musicians, including Boy George, knowing when a piece of art is ‘ready’ can be a challenge.

“When to stop is a really interesting one for a musician. To know when, when are you done? You know, when is it finished?”.