Peter was born in London in 1958 and attended the Glasgow School of Arts from 1975-77 and 1979-81. He then became artist in residence at the University of St. Andrews and a part-time tutor at the Glasgow School of Art. He came to fame in the 1980's with his paintings of down-and outs in Glasgow streets. In 1993, he was appointed official British War Artist for Bosnia and his experience there turned him into one of Scotland's darkest and most controversial artists. He suffered a breakdown and did not manage to overcome his drink and drug addiction problems until he attended Castle Craig Clinic in 2000. He then found religion and established The Third Step Gallery in Glasgow.admirers include Madonna, Sylvester Stallone, David Bowie and Dawn French. A mystery buyer recently snapped up the entire New York collection before it opened to the public. In September 2005, one of his works sold, also in New York, for over £100.000, heralding increasing American interest.further information on Peter Howson's life and artworks, see the Gallery's copy of Peter Howson by Robert Heller.