Peter Howson - Social/Cultural Flashcards
Point 1
Peter Howson is a painter who lives and works in Glasgow. He attended Glasgow School of Art but they did not appreciate his overbearing figurative style and he failed his first year and left.
Context - the overbearing style can be seen in MGH through the use of black outlines which accentuate the figure and directional lighting which creates a theatrical yet cartoonish image.
Point 2
He began working as a bouncer in Ayrshire and this culture of violence and ‘ned culture’ is a reoccurring theme throughout his work and his inspired the characteristics of overdeveloped bodies and the common mans struggle in life.
Context - the fighting stance of the figure suggests he is ready to fight - perhaps with a gang (bed culture) or he is fighting society as a working man, it can be said he is a working man as he is wearing a vest which was commonly known as the working mans uniform. He puts the common man on a pedestal.
Point 3
Characteristics of his paintings : realistic but darkened down colours show feelings of gloom, strong tonal contrast and over developed stylised characters.
Mood : often touching and showing the raw emotions of human character such as violence, solitude, determination.
Context - solitary figure fills the canvas with a the urban background featuring derelict and rundown buildings. The stillness and stormy sky shows a mood that something is brewing. His pose contrasts the calm, sad and lonely expression of his face.
Point 4
Howson returned to GSA in 1981 and became the central figure of the ‘new Glasgow boys’ who were a group of artists that were influenced by Glasgow culture.
Context - this new focus on figurative art radically popularised the genre of figurative painting. His focus on depicting the working class and homelessness contrasts with the champagne lifestyle of he 1980’s yuppy culture.
Point 5
He became a reportage artist for the Bosnian war and suffered greatly from depression. He still works today and has done many portraits for famous people including Madonna and the Queen.
Context - in this work we see the influence of theatrical use of light. The image is almost like an operatic character creating different narratives for different people.
