Paul Simonon began painting at an early age. He was taken to Rome for a year and in 1975 he received a scholarship to the Byam Shaw School of Art. This is the first time his work has been shown in public.

He has great self-discipline as an artist. He will spend days in museums drawing and drawing in order to give himself a better understanding of form. such dedication an industry is almost imperceptible in the apparent ease and fluency of his finished pictures.

His passion for London and the English coast – grey days, drizzle and all – has led his painting towards soft, restrained colours and simple compositions. They are quiet pictures: incredibly still and serene – with a powerful presence nonetheless.