A NEW collection of art by comedian Billy Connolly has gone on show.

The collection has been unveiled at the Castle Fine Art gallery in Nile Street, Brighton.

It comprises six limited edition prints signed by the award-winning actor.

Titled Born On A Rainy Day, the pieces were inspired by a trip Billy took to Montreal.

He bought some pens and a sketchbook and began to draw.

Initially drawing desert islands, he soon began to repeat and experiment, eventually refining his ideas.

Billy’s initial ink drawings, released in 2012, received critical acclaim and were highly sought after by his fans and collectors.

He released a second instalment a year later, demonstrating a developed style and experimentation with composition and colour, followed by a third release in 2018.

When asked about his work Billy said: “My art bears no relation to comedy or music.

“It is pure and unjudged and I am creating for myself.

“It is personal and private, whereas with a film, comedy show or music you expect people to be critiquing, watching, assessing.

“Art is different – it liberates you.”

Valerie Kaye, gallery manager at Castle Fine Art, said: “Billy Connolly is a true icon and we couldn’t feel more privileged to release his work here in Brighton.

“Billy’s artwork has a unique, humorous charm which has always been hugely popular with his fans, and we can’t wait to welcome them to the gallery to view the latest collection.”

Billy evolves his illustrations as he creates them, allowing each of his images the freedom to become “whatever it is destined to become”.

His creative process mirrors that of the Surrealist automatism movement, whereby the artist allows the hand to move randomly across the paper or canvas, without intent to create anything specifically.

In 2013 the 76-year-old, who is married to Pamela Stephenson, revealed that he was suffering with Parkinson’s, a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years.

He continued to work on stage and screen but announced his retirement from live performances in December.