Childish prefers to take his inspiration from his favourite artist, Van Gogh. An influence that is evident in the style of his paintings - especially his self-portraits. “I like his intellect, his resoluteness, and his quest for spiritual meaning”, he tells me. “Also his immediacy and doggedness as a human”. I suggest that Van Gogh’s quality as an unsung hero in his time might also appeal to him, “Well people often think that of him, he says, but actually his popularity was growing and I think he was aware of how big he was going to be. In fact I think his suicide was to do with him not being able to deal with prospective fame, not living without it.”

Childish is dismissive of modern society’s current obsession with fame - what he calls ‘fame for fame’s sake’ - but he insists that if a major gallery asked him to exhibit some work, he’d gladly accept. “My wife always says that she wouldn’t let the Tate have any of my work if they wanted it after my death, but I say let them have it. I might be sceptical of Charles Saatchi”, he adds, “but the Tate are just an institution trying to keep sexy in a world where they’re not”. Tentatively I ask what he thinks about Emin being invited to exhibit at the Royal Academy recently, “I suppose she would be, you know. I don’t know what it’s about or what she’s about but I suppose she’s just trying to be somewhere and remain somewhere." "I mean”, he adds, “Tracey always wanted to be an artist so I guess for her it’s really exciting and thrilling.” ER