Thomas Houseago

Thomas Houseago, a British artist, is celebrated as one of today's most acclaimed figurative sculptors. His artistic practice cleverly blends contemporary and traditional elements, creating artworks with a raw emotional charge that captivates viewers. 

Biography of Thomas Houseago

Born in 1972 in Leeds, Thomas Houseago's upbringing by his single mother instilled in him a deep appreciation for visual arts, music, and architecture. As a teenager, two events left a lasting impact on him: Picasso's solo show at the Tate Gallery and Joseph Beuys' performance piece "How to Explain Pictures to a Dead Hare" (1965), which influenced much of his early performative work. Houseago's artistic journey led him to the Jacob Kramer College and later Central Saint Martins in London.

During his time at De Atelier in Amsterdam, Houseago encountered the figurative style through the works of artist Marlene Dumas. Another significant inspiration for Houseago during his youth, which later became a recurring theme in his work, was the prevalent hyper-macho culture. This culture often obscured the tragic and vulnerable aspects of the male psyche, which he felt compelled to capture. 

In his artworks, Houseago incorporates traditional materials like bronze, plaster, and wood. He frequently positions his figures in contrapposto stances, where the body's weight rests on one leg. This style echoes the sculptures of ancient Greece and Rome. One of his notable series is the large-scale sculptures titled "Moun Room," renowned for their imposing and powerful presence. 

Thomas Houseago has been the focus of several major surveys throughout his career, including a 2019 exhibition at the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. His work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions, such as "Thomas Houseago: One Beautiful Day" (2023 – 2024) at The Modern Institute, Aird's Lane in Glasgow, "Togetherness: For Better or Worse" (2023 – 2024) at the Green Family Art Foundation in Dallas, "The Echo of Picasso" (2023 – 2024) at the Museo Picasso Málaga, and "Singular Views: Los Angeles" at the Rubell Museum.

While he often works on large-scale pieces, Houseago skillfully incorporates two-dimensional aspects, effectively conveying their fragility and delicate appearance. His works are now featured in numerous private and public collections worldwide. Currently, Thomas Houseago resides and works in Los Angeles.