When the Apple Ripens – Peter Howson at 65 review: Love amid the muscularity

The painter Peter Howson first came to prominence in the 1980s with a group of contemporaries that included Adrian Wiszniewski, Ken Currie and Steven Campbell. These west-coast painters enjoyed fame and fortune that extended well beyond their native shores. Although each had developed a unique style early in their careers, they shared an approach to figuration and a kind of muscular male identity.

Muscularity still intrigues Howson and is one of many tropes that has obtained throughout his long career. As the title of this show suggests, however, the apple has now ripened, with all that image implies — growth, maturity and a blend of subtle tastes and flavours.

Curatorially the show is split into sections, echoed by the layout of the space — the first floor hosts student and early work; the second, religiously themed images, while the third floor is occupied by recent painting. It is the last that is the most intriguing and the most complex.

Howson has always responded powerfully to events on the world stage, most famously when he worked as a war artist in Bosnia, where events traumatised him to the point that he abused drugs and alcohol and he sought treatment.

As well as visceral work from the Balkans conflict, there are complex responses to the pandemic. Wuhan and Batblood are lockdown artworks — smaller, concentrated and detailed.

Howson has never shied away from tackling controversial subjects such as nationalism and the violence that perpetrated in its name. There are numerous manifestations of conflict with muscular cudgel-bearing, flag-waving thugs.

After his breakdown Howson found God and the religiosity in this work is often moving and intense. If one image could represent this salvation, it is Road to Damascus, where Saul is blinded by the light and hears the voice of Jesus.

Howson himself continues on the road. Despite the darkness of his passion his painting is suffused with a sense of hope and love.

     Until May 18, 2024