The man who painted Bowie on the friend who was one of a kind

A childhood friend of David Bowie has paid tribute to the singer at the opening of his new exhibition in Suffolk. George Underwood designed album covers for Bowie and other acts including including T Rex and Procol Harum in the 1970s.

Bowie was a guest at Underwood’s wedding in 1971 and the pair were close friends up until the singer’s death in January.

An exhibition of George Underwood’s work is on display at Imagine Gallery at Long Melford in Suffolk until 6th May. The exhibition was put together in four months – usually artists are given a year’s notice to produce new work but Underwood produced four new paintings following Bowie’s death that will be seen for the first time in public at this exhibition. Underwood says he paints from his imagination and likes people to think about the emotions behind his work.

As well as George Underwood’s paintings there is plenty to excite Bowie fans with artwork inspired by Bowie’s 1976 film The Man Who Fell To Earth and artwork for an album cover for Bowie’s LA Ziggy Stardust tour that was never used.