Ed Sheeran to exhibit paintings created in car park

Ed Sheeran began painting in 2019 and created his latest works in a disused London car park

A new exhibition will feature original art works created by singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran.

The pop star branched into painting in 2019, but said he had always enjoyed studying art in school while growing up in Suffolk.

He created several paintings between shows last year in a disused London car park and was encouraged to hold an exhibition of them at the Heni Gallery in Soho, London, until August.

"I started painting at the end of my Divide Tour in 2019 and it's something that I've used as a creative outlet ever since," Sheeran explained.

Sheeran said he used painting as a creative outlet in between making music

"When I was growing up, both of my parents worked in art, so I've naturally always been interested in it, and I always enjoyed studying art at school.

"I was back and forth on tour last year, and I used a lot of my downtime in the UK to paint.

"I'd run to a disused car park in Soho each morning, paint, then run home and I'd do that daily until I headed back out on tour again."

The works were originally created for Sheeran's friends and family before he was convinced to exhibit them

The exhibition has been called Cosmic Carpark Paintings and admission is free with no appointment required.

The new works have been inspired by celestial patterns and are in keeping with Sheeran's splash painting style.

The works will be displayed in the Heni Gallery from Thursday to 1 August.

They can also be bought, with proceeds being donated to The Ed Sheeran Foundation, which works to offer music education and opportunities to young people from all backgrounds.

Sheeran explained he had told artist Damien Hirst as well as Joe Hage, founder of Heni, about his paintings, and they encouraged him to do the exhibition.

He will perform three sell-out homecoming concerts at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Sheeran's proceeds from any sales will go to his foundation