James Howden(stewart)

Artist Statement – James Howden

As a sculptor, my practice navigates the intersection of history, politics, and pop culture, using humour as a critical lens to confront pressing societal tensions. Since graduating with a BA in Sculpture from Edinburgh College of Art in 2017, I have exhibited work across the UK, Europe, and the United States, creating sculptures that invite reflection on violence, war, and the absurdities of consumer culture.

My recent work questions what remnants of our civilisation might endure when we are no longer here. By referencing historical artefacts and merging them with icons of contemporary consumerism, I create hybrid sculptures that collapse timelines—objects that feel both ancient and eerily familiar. In doing so, I aim to explore the fragile narratives we construct around culture, legacy, and power.
Through satire and juxtaposition, my work becomes a space for critical engagement: an archaeological dig into both past empires and the current moment, asking what we value, what we discard, and what future generations might uncover in the debris.