peter howson

artist biography

Although he was born in London, Peter Howson is perhaps most strongly associated with Glasgow, the city where he grew up, studied art, and has found inspiration for his ongoing examination of the human condition.

Howson had a troubled upbringing, which has notably impacted his style and subject matter. His clear-eyed view of those areas of society which do not always find representation in the art world has gained him acclaim both from critics, and from those who can see themselves and their struggles in his works.

Howson’s work has received attention throughout his career, and his success has grown since he was made artist in residence for the university of St Andrews in 1985. In 1993, he was made Britain’s official war artist for the Bosnian Civil War. He received an OBE for his work in 2009, and has work represented in some of the best known galleries in the world.