Rock superstar Robbie Williams has opened the first ever solo exhibition of his art at the Moco private art gallery in Amsterdam, entitled Pride and Self-Prejudice.

The theme of the show is Williams’ “inner demons” which, he told reporters, he can “drive to the periphery” through making art. “I hope this exhibition will show the healing power of art and will touch, inspire and connect.”

Williams said he had been making art since 2006 but had been too scared to show anyone. “Nearly 20 years later, here is my first solo show.”

“It has been my life’s work to overcome whatever has been happening between my ears,” he said. “It’s important to put a bit of humour with something that is deeply disturbing. Without humour, maybe I would not even be here.”

Williams said he is “unbelievable proud” of the show. “The 17-year-old in me can’t believe this is happening,” he said. “And the 50-year-old is just pleasantly confused.”

Williams’ pop art approach, with texts such as ’I was mentally ill before it was cool’ and ’There a light inside you – burn it out’, was praised by Dutch celebs at the opening, many of whom were fans from the Take That days.

“I like the way that Robbie, like me, is getting older,” said Stylist Maik de Boer, who claims to still sleep under a Robbie Williams duvet cover. “But he keeps re-inventing himself. I think I can learn from that.”

The exhibition is open until July 8.