Billy Bagilhole

Billy Bagilhole is known for his unique blend of traditional techniques and modern themes. Born in 1994, Bagilhole spent much of his childhood on Welsh farms and in the forgotten Spanish settings of spaghetti westerns. These early experiences deeply influenced his work, inspiring the animals and cowboy imagery that frequently appear in his pieces.

Bagilhole's artistic journey began in a household filled with his father's paintings and prints. From a young age, he drew Native Americans, animals, and religious figures, imitating the images created by his father on the walls. These subjects continue to fascinate him, especially since his father passed away when Bagilhole was just six years old in 2001. His father's legacy acts as a time capsule of creativity, driving Bagilhole's passion for art and mark-making.

Bagilhole honed his skills at Chelsea College of Art, where he sharpened his technical abilities and developed a keen sense of how art can comment on society. He predominantly works through painting and filmmaking, often covering canvases with salt and thick paint. He enjoys the technical aspects of painting, colour, and the eye of the lens, frequently using internal gestures and nostalgic representations to create abstracted life scenes. His works often collide colour with sinister imagery, leaving open questions and unknown metaphors that invite infinite interpretations.

Bagilhole's attraction to painting lies in its ability to create the unknown and the uncanny, fostering a sense of bewilderment. His recurring symbols, such as fish bones, dogs, bulls, and his character "Edwin,", hint at relationships between seemingly disparate pieces of imagery. He believes in the inherent curiosity of humans and sees art as a medium for wonder.