Neale Howells

Neale was born in 1965 in Neath. From 1984 to 1990 he studied Fine Art at Bath College of Higher Education. He and his young family have lived in Neath all their lives, where he has all but a long, narrow shed as a 'studio'. He often paints on very large boards, something he has to do in the open, primarily using household paints.
'Absrtact Art' - no such thing! 'Representational and symbolism' - if anybody mentions this to you just tell them, 'wrong'! Art is not about this. Art is not a literal story board and it does not need an intellectual crutch to support it. You learn the rules and then you rip them up. (quoted & shown by kind permission of the artist)

Artist's Statement 2001: "in our world where the good are generally ignored but the bad get attention is success really measured by having your name on a pair of socks?"

"His graffiti inspired paintings and drawings seem to reference TV, overheard conversations or bits of information heard whilst tuning the radio. What we are left with is a mass of arguing mark making that leaves the viewer unsure of how and when to proceed. Howells' work seems a sprawling living 'thing' that has a life of its own" (quoted from Ffresh 3, an exhibition at Chapter/G97 in March 2002).

Comments in the press: "New wave of Welsh art" / "In the spirit of Pollock, Miro & Basquiat" / "Prodigious talent and raw energy" / "Apparently wayward signs on his canvases...Crowded with messages of alienation, deprivation & daily violence".

More to be found HERE

Awards: 2004 winner of the Lexmark European Regional Art Prize Wales.

Commissions: in 2000 he produced the well known album and single covers for the Manic Street Preachers

International Links:
work experiences abroad= has visited New York & Sweden, in 1096 worked/painted in Berlin (see his Berlin series), in 2003 painted in Spain (see his Malaga series); 2004 UK shortlist of the Lexmark European Art Prize will also then go forward to compete in Europe for the overall prize of 30,000 euros

Principal dealer: John Martin Gallery London.