Ian Howard RSA

Born in Aberdeen in 1952, Ian Howard RSA studied at Edinburgh College of Art (1970-1975). Howard’s practice incorporates painting, drawing and printmaking and focuses on themes including art and science, alchemical symbolism, hermeticism, emblems, medieval and renaissance iconography.

In the 1980s Howard was Lecturer in Painting at Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen. Throughout his career Howard has gained prestigious awards and accolades, establishing himself as a significant voice in contemporary Scottish Art. Formerly, he was Dean of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, University of Dundee; a member of the Faculty of the British School at Rome; and the former Principal of Edinburgh College of Art. He is now an Academician of the Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture and an Emeritus Professor of the University of Edinburgh.

Howard had a solo show in Compass Gallery in 1984 and has been a regular exhibitor since he was a new graduate. His works are unusually an intriguing, carefully balanced blend of fine draughtsmanship, fantasy and classical references.

His works are in many public collections including: Aberdeen Art Gallery; Clare College, University of Cambridge; Co-Existence, London; Concert Hall, Stavanger, Norway; Dundee Art galleries and Museums; Edinburgh City Art Centre; Fife Regional Council; Friends of the Royal Scottish Academy; Fleming Collection, London; Glasgow College Collection; Hunterian Art Gallery, University of Glasgow; Hunterian Art Gallery, Print Collection, University of Glasgow; McManus Art Gallery, Dundee; Paisley Art Gallery; Pearl Assurance PLC, London; Rosehaugh, London; Royal Collection Trust; Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture; Scottish Amicable; Shell UK; University of Dundee; University of Edinburgh; University of St Andrews; Unilever PLC; Victoria and Albert Museum; Warwick University Art Centre.