DAVID BOWIE and Madonna are fans and now the Scottish artist known as the ‘Vettriano of Violence’ has managed to sell out his entire exhibition before it even opened.
The critics might not like Peter Howson but that hasn’t deterred one buyer snapping up every piece of work in the ‘Demokratia’ show.
The painting – which were priced between £3,000 and £250,000 – are meant to be a reflection on the political and social issues of the time.
In them Howson represents a nightmarish vision of a new civilisation, emerging from global crisis.
One of the paintings features Howson’s daughter Lucie thrusting a stake into the leg of a primitive, muscular ‘Colossus’.
The painter who grew up in Prestwick, Ayrshire, said he was “amazed” by the sale and is working on more painting in the same theme to keep up with demand.
Speaking about his comparison to fellow Scottish artist Jack Vettriano, also known for being loathed by the critics, Howson said: “I really don’t care about what the critics say about it – people seem to love it.
“I almost hate to think of myself as a violent Jack Vettriano – the people love his work and the critics hate it.
“And the critics generally don’t like my work either, but the people love it. He (Vettriano) is the sex and I am the violence.”
David Bowie and Madonna both collect Howson’s work and last month his 1989 oil painting, The Sublime and Ridiculous, sold for more than £40,000 at auction.
