A CONVICTED art forger has launched a permanent exhibition at a recently opened antiques centre.

William ‘Billy the Brush’ Mumford, who was jailed for two years in 2012 after creating hundreds of fake works, has put some of his own paintings on show at Bridge House, Longham.

Around 80 paintings inspired by the works of famous artists have gone on show, with a further 80 in storage.

During his time in prison, split between Brixton and Ford, Billy was still able to paint.

Since being released he has set about using the work of others to inspire him, rather than creating forgeries.

“I had been an art forger since I was thrown out of art school at 19,” Billy said.

“When I came out of prison I decided to paint in the style of artists. It is all legitimate now. There are holograms on the work and buyers are given an official certificate.

“In prison I had a lot of time to think, but I couldn’t give up painting.

“The gallery has work inspired by 60 different artists, but paintings they never did. You could say it is work they thought about painting but never did.”

The work in the gallery took Billy around six months to produce. He paints 12 hours a day seven days a week, doing most of the work from his studio.

Billy, who has sold out two galleries of paintings in his home town of Brighton, added: “I always hoped that even in my darkest moments I would still be able to paint. I had a belief to never give up painting.”

The gallery is owned by James Hartey, who also owns the Courtyard Craft Centre at Lytchett Matravers, and it can be found at the Bridge House Antiques Market.

He admitted he has been a long-time admirer of Billy’s paintings.

“He is known as a prolific art forger, but he is a prolific painter in his own right,” James said.

“His work has gone all over the world from places like Dubai to Paris.

“I think it is great to now be able to have his paintings in a little place like this in Dorset.

“I get a real buzz from the positive responses people give to the gallery.”

The gallery at Bridge House Antiques Market off Ringwood Road is hosting Billy’s work as the main attraction alongside other paintings, sculptures and glasswork.