Howson: I feared my career was over
WHEN a medical condition cost artist Peter Howson the use of his right hand he feared his painting career was over.
He desperately tried to fix the debilitating problem, known as a ‘dystonic tremor’, with a series of Botox injections.
But although the treatment failed, the 59-year-old is opening his first exhibition since his diagnosis in February – after creating every piece using his left hand.
He has produced around 70 works in only four months, dealing with a string of topics including religion, politics and Brexit.
speaking from his home in Glasgow yesterday, Howson said he had to teach himself to paint again in order to meet the deadline of his latest exhibition.
He added: ‘it’s a weird feeling to hold a brush with your opposite hand, that’s why all the figures in the paintings are facing away. it’s been quite difficult.’
Dystonic tremor affects 70,000 people in the UK. there is no cure but minute doses of Botox can help ease the symptoms.
Howson made his name with brutal portrayals of Glasgow down-and-outs and hardmen, as well as a naked depiction of singer madonna.
in his latest exhibition, spiritus mundi, he said he is pulling no punches. One work takes a dig at the tory government with the title strong and stable, words used by theresa may in speeches as party leader.
though he has never openly spoken about the Brexit referendum and how he voted, Howson has used the exhibition to voice his hatred of the EU and his ‘frustration’ at the UK Government’s handling of Brexit.
He said: ‘What is happening in the world is a form of insanity.’ Describing the Brexit process as ‘frustrating to watch, to see it happen so slowly’, he said: ‘i’m not willing to say which way i voted because there is a labelling of people who voted out as ultra-nationalists, but i’ve never been a fan of the EU.’
He added: ‘the exhibition isn’t all about Brexit. A lot of my work is to do with the disintegration of moral values and part of that is nationalism, because nationalism can go very wrong and become very ugly and very dangerous.’
Spiritus Mundi will open at the Billcliffe Gallery, Blythswood Street, Glasgow, on November 25.