One of the most influential singer-songwriter of the 20th century, Bob Dylan's ballads have been covered by the gamut of popular musicians over the past five decades - selling over 125 million records globally, with timeless hits such as "Knockin' On Heaven's Door", "Times Are A-Changin'" and "Tangled Up in Blue". But even die-hard fans of the composer may not be aware of yet another hidden talent - his skill as a painter.

Now, "Point Blank", a collection 97 of Dylan's paintings created between 2021 and 2022 will be shown to the public in a free exhibition at the Halcyon Gallery in Bond Street, opening on Friday, May 9, until Sunday, July 6. The majority of the paintings were begun as quick sketches, painted over with watercolours, and often display atmospheric urban landscapes - boulevards illuminated with street lights, crowds of people celebrating in the street or, in more off-kilter moments, sensuous near-nudes.

Already, "Point Blank" has won praise from reviewers. Writing about the exhibition for The Times, Nancy Durrant mused: "There’s something understatedly remarkable about them, a quiet wit and what feels like a sideways look at the world." In his review for The Independent, editor-in-chief Geordie Greig observed: "His new paintings share a Kerouac echo of being on the road: exploring, sensing and interpreting a vision of America. We are shown glimpses, triggered memories and vistas."

Dylan's previous exhibition, 'The Brazil Series', shown in Copenhagen in 2010
Dylan's previous exhibition, 'The Brazil Series', shown in Copenhagen in 2010

Dylan says he began working as a visual artist early 1960s, at around the same time he became known as a folk singer. In his memoir, Chronicles: Volume One, he wrote: "What would I draw? Well, I guess I would start with whatever was at hand. I sat at the table, took out a pencil and paper and drew the typewriter, a crucifix, a rose, pencils, knives and pins, empty cigarette boxes. I'd lose track of time completely... Not that I thought I was any great drawer, but I did feel like I was putting an orderliness to the chaos around."

Only a few of Dylan's early artworks ever gained public attention, including his cover of The Band's 1968 debut album, Music from Big Pink. His first museum show in London, Face Value, opened at the National Portrait Gallery in August 2013 and showcased 12 pastel portraits depicting enigmatic characters from both memory and imagination.

Three months later, Dylan's fascination with metalwork was introduced to the public via The Halcyon’s Gallery's exhibition Mood Swings, presenting his first collection of iron sculptures including gates, screens, furniture and wall hangings, created from reclaimed objects. In 2014, Dylan exhibited again with Halcyon, showcasing Revisionist Art and Side Tracks: a running series of over 300 prints, each uniquely hand-embellished by the artist.

This latest exhibition is Dylan's largest exhibition in London in well over a decade, and follows a surge of interest in his career, with the release of his acclaimed biopic A Complete Unknown in 2024 starring Timothy Chalamet, as well as a series of concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall last November.

Point Blank opens at the Halycon Gallery, New Bond Street, on May 9 to July 6. For more information, see here.

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