An international superstar at 22, Boy George was an influential figure in the cultural melting pot of artists on the New York and London club scenes throughout the 1980s, a cohort that included Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Tracy Emin and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

But his daring artistic expression developed long before this. Expelled for wearing flamboyant clothing and make-up, his school years shaped many of his future creative endeavours - particularly his art.

'Being a kid with a personality in a classroom of 30 children, you stand out. For me, art was really the only place where I was able to be self-indulgent and free', he says.

Inspired by his art teacher, he would spend hours drawing pictures of his musical idols, with one figure dominating the pages of his sketch book more than anyone else... David Bowie.

Inspired by Bowie's androgynous aesthetic, Boy George began to experiment with textiles and make-up, discovering the infinite magic of a kohl eyeliner pencil. This prompted his lifelong desire to create visual illusions, using his own body as a canvas, which led him to become one of the most unique and recognisable figures in popular culture.

His image has been captured countless times over four decades, by the likes of Annie Leibovitz, Terry O'Neill and Rankin. But, in his art, we see Boy George shift the spotlight on to his own subjects, allowing us to see them through his eyes with his signature style, wit and rebellion.