Scottish Masters Unite for Bold Van Gogh Remix: Two Sons
Two Glasgow painters fuse styles to reimagine Vincent van Gogh in Two Sons, a bold collaboration blending Howson's intensity with Muir's playful Adidas twist.
Two of Scotland's most acclaimed painters have teamed up for a striking reimagining of a famous artist. Peter Howson and Ross Muir blend their distinct styles to create Two Sons, a bold painting that nods to Vincent van Gogh while adding a modern Scottish twist.
What the artwork is
Two Sons reinterprets van Gogh's world through Howson's muscular, narrative brushwork and Muir's playful twist featuring a retro Adidas tracksuit. The piece builds on Muir's Square Gogh, a work that brought him national attention in 2018.
How the collaboration began
The project started by chance when the artists crossed paths during a dog walk in Glasgow's West End. After sharing ideas, they decided to collaborate on a version that would fuse both of their techniques.
Viewing plans and market outlook
The painting will be shown publicly in 2026 at a venue that has yet to be announced, before moving into private sale for collectors.
The collaboration showcases how two strong voices in contemporary Scottish art can merge into a single canvas that feels both familiar and new.
Howson's career spans Glasgow's industrial era and international commissions. He served as a British war artist for Bosnia in the 1990s, creating memorable works including a controversial depiction from the Bosnian conflict. Muir is celebrated for witty, contemporary takes on classic masterpieces, and this project marks their combined inventive breakthrough.
Muir described Howson as a towering figure in today’s art world and emphasized his enduring influence on Glasgow's creative circle. He added that seeing Howson’s paintings up close makes their impact unmistakable.
Visual symbolism
The backdrop for Two Sons echoes Van Gogh's Starry Night, with two suns in the sky symbolizing the meeting of the two artists' voices and styles.
"Two Sons captures both of us on the canvas, reflecting our joint creative partnership," Muir explained.
Expert commentary
Expert comment: Muir regards Howson as one of the leading living painters and notes his ongoing influence on Glasgow's art conversations. He adds that experiencing Howson's work in person reveals the full power of his craft.
Summary
Two Sons represents a bold cross‑generational collaboration that fuses two iconic approaches. It builds on Square Gogh while weaving Howson's intense realism with Muir's playful humor, with a public unveiling planned for 2026 and a private sale to follow. The project highlights the vitality of Scottish contemporary art and the enduring appeal of reimagining beloved masterpieces.
Two generations of Scottish artists meet on canvas to blend classic inspiration with modern style. Source: BBC News