Peter Howson

A Life

Flowers is pleased to present a survey exhibition of the Scottish painter Peter Howson. The exhibition titled: A Life will run from 28th November through to 11th January 2014 and will present a visual journey of Howson's altogether fascinating life, with works that are both extraordinary and intriguing.

While Howson has exhibited far and wide previous exhibitions have always focused on a particular area of his life. This exhibition offers the opportunity to become a direct witness to a diverse range of varying incidents and torments he has endured and encapsulated.

Included in this exhibition is The First Step, 2000. Whilst working on this painting Howson was battling with various addictions and personal demons. The central figure lurches on carrying a rowdy band of figures on his back, amongst the individuals we see one so eager to control him that he physically spears the protagonist's leg with a metal hook, clawing his thigh. Bruised and bare footed he still strides on in a field of bottles and debris, mirroring Howson's own struggle and ultimate determination to continue as an artist.

The exhibition also includes new work by the artist in the pastels and oils. These are bold and uncompromising, ever highlighting Howson's feelings that beauty is in the honest unmasked form. He chooses to highlight every line and shadow in the faces that stare out with fierce intensity from his works, as proud medals of life experience.

The theme of life's struggles permeates the exhibition, as indeed it does Howson's life, yet there's a heroic strength in the works that lead one to admire not only him as a person, but his ability to capture this through a medium that arrests and inspires you.