Biography

Stephen’s academic training is an unconventional mix of business studies and art history (with a particular interest in 20th century american modernism).

Artistic influences range from Turner, Rothko, Tobey through to Hockney & Richter. Stephen’s work is held in corporate and private collections internationally.

  • 1979 – 1983 Academy of Fine Arts Wellington
  • 1983 Porirua Art Expo Wellington
  • 1984 Molesworth Gallery Wellington
  • 1985 Government House Wellington – Group Show
  • 1986 Molesworth Gallery Wellington – Solo Exhibition
  • 1986 Bealey Gallery Christchurch – Solo Exhibition
  • 1987 Molesworth Gallery Wellington – Solo Exhibition
  • 1988 Aigantighe Gallery Timaru – Group Show
  • 1989 Molesworth Gallery Wellington – Solo Exhibition
  • 1993 Rosslyn Gallery Dunedin – Solo Exhibition
  • 1994 Riversdale Art Exhibition Southland
  • 1994 Richies Fine Arts, Canterbury Artists Group Show
  • 1995 Dobson Bashford Gallery Christchurch – Group Show
  • 1996 Studio of Contemporary Art Auckland - Solo Exhibition “The Grass is Greener”
  • 1999 Studio of Contemporary Art Auckland - Solo Exhibition  “Recent Paintings”
  • 2000 Studio of Contemporary Art Auckland – Group Show “Three Views”
  • 2001 Studio of Contemporary Art Auckland – Group Show
  • 2003 SOCA Gallery Auckland – Solo Exhibition “Consider This”
  • 2005 SOCA Gallery Auckland – Solo Exhibition “Unconventional Rules”
  • 2006 SOCA Gallery Auckland – Solo Exhibition “Symbiosis”
  • 2008 SOCA Gallery Auckland – Solo Exhibition
  • 2011 Parnell Gallery Auckland – Solo Exhibition
  • 2016 Parnell Gallery Auckland - Solo Exhibition
  • 2017 Parnell Gallery - Solo Exhibition
  • 2025 - Gallery Thirty-Three Wanaka - Group Show
  • 2025 - Parnell Gallery Auckland - Group Show

CORPORATE COLLECTIONS

  • Air New Zealand
  • Shell Corporation
  • New Zealand Rail
  • KPMG Peat Marwick
  • Bank of New Zealand
  • Landcorp
  • Art Museum Hotel Wellington
  • Environment Court

PUBLICATIONS

  • NZ Gallery – Denis Robinson
  • Artists’ Impressions of New Zealand – Denis Robinson

"Stephen Howard skilfully blends out edges and texture in his Fiordland Rain Cloud paintings to create an intense sense of atmosphere. The clouds are closing in, the light is focused and resilient; you can imagine the clean, renewing smell of rain in the air and the first touch of mist. Fiordland Rain Cloud #3 has a minimal palette and a hazy simplicity of form, but it resonates with emotional power - the light in the dark, the moment of realisation during the storm."
Otago Daily Times May 2025