Simon Houlton
Simon Houlton is a contemporary Turkish painter whose artistic journey is marked by a fiercely independent spirit and an aversion to conventional techniques. As a self-taught artist, Simon embraces the freedom to chart his own course through both art and life, preferring to learn from his own mistakes rather than adhere to formal instruction.
Rejecting traditional methods, Simon's work is characterized by bold experimentation and raw expression. He employs bold black lines, splashes, smears, and happy accidents to create pieces that eschew perfection in favor of authenticity. This unconventional approach, often discouraged by formal educators, allows him to convey emotions and narratives with a raw, scratchy aesthetic that resonates deeply with viewers.
Themes of introspection and human struggle permeate Simon's work, with recurring motifs of faces, fish, and skeletons. Many of his portraits serve as windows into his own psyche, capturing moments of emotional turmoil and self-reflection. Through his art, Simon seeks to confront the darker aspects of the human experience—self-doubt, despair, isolation, and societal degradation—in a manner that is both relatable and thought-provoking.
Each painting is a product of spontaneous intuition, guided by periods of silent contemplation and introspection. Simon's goal is not to create pretty or technically flawless images, but rather to evoke deep, visceral reactions in his audience. He aims to challenge societal taboos surrounding mental health and human vulnerability, inviting viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and engage in meaningful introspection. In Simon's world, art is not merely an aesthetic pursuit, but a powerful tool for confronting the complexities of the human condition.
Discover contemporary artworks by Simon Houlton, browse recent artworks and buy online. Categories: contemporary turkish artists. Artistic domains: Painting. Account type: Artist , member since 2020 (Country of origin United Kingdom). Buy Simon Houlton's latest works on ArtMajeur: Discover great art by contemporary artist Simon Houlton. Browse artworks, buy original art or high end prints.
Artist Value, Biography, Artist's studio:
Exclusive selection at discounted prices • 6 artworks
View allAnxiety Exhibition • 21 artworks
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A collection of paintings in which I explore psychological disturbances both within my own psyche and [...]
A collection of paintings in which I explore psychological disturbances both within my own psyche and humanity in general. All paintings feature faces, sometimes deconstructed to the point of becoming abstract, and heavy black lines which you can read as a form of stress.
Weird Fishes • 13 artworks
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This gallery features paintings of fish an other sea creatures in acrylic and oil. My hometown is a [...]
This gallery features paintings of fish an other sea creatures in acrylic and oil. My hometown is a small fishing town called Hastings, in the south east of England. I grew up surrounded by fish, fishing, and fisherman. As a result these sea creatures still fascinate me. I can't walk past a fish market without stopping to look at the fish, they look weird and other worldly to me, and I enjoy painting them.
Latest Artworks • 39 artworks
View allSold Artworks • 10 artworks
Recognition
Published in the media
The artist has been published in the media, radio or TV press
The artist has been published in the media, radio or TV press
Editor's Pick
The artist's works have been noticed by the editorial staff
The artist's works have been noticed by the editorial staff
Presented in Art Fairs
The artist participates in art shows and fairs
The artist participates in art shows and fairs
Self-taught artist
The artist has developed his technique through his own artistic experience
The artist has developed his technique through his own artistic experience
Biography
Simon Houlton is a contemporary Turkish painter whose artistic journey is marked by a fiercely independent spirit and an aversion to conventional techniques. As a self-taught artist, Simon embraces the freedom to chart his own course through both art and life, preferring to learn from his own mistakes rather than adhere to formal instruction.
Rejecting traditional methods, Simon's work is characterized by bold experimentation and raw expression. He employs bold black lines, splashes, smears, and happy accidents to create pieces that eschew perfection in favor of authenticity. This unconventional approach, often discouraged by formal educators, allows him to convey emotions and narratives with a raw, scratchy aesthetic that resonates deeply with viewers.
Themes of introspection and human struggle permeate Simon's work, with recurring motifs of faces, fish, and skeletons. Many of his portraits serve as windows into his own psyche, capturing moments of emotional turmoil and self-reflection. Through his art, Simon seeks to confront the darker aspects of the human experience—self-doubt, despair, isolation, and societal degradation—in a manner that is both relatable and thought-provoking.
Each painting is a product of spontaneous intuition, guided by periods of silent contemplation and introspection. Simon's goal is not to create pretty or technically flawless images, but rather to evoke deep, visceral reactions in his audience. He aims to challenge societal taboos surrounding mental health and human vulnerability, inviting viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and engage in meaningful introspection. In Simon's world, art is not merely an aesthetic pursuit, but a powerful tool for confronting the complexities of the human condition.
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Nationality:
UNITED KINGDOM
- Date of birth : 1975
- Artistic domains:
- Groups: Contemporary British Artists

Ongoing and Upcoming art events
No data available yet
Influences
Education
2005 - 2006
CERTesol
Hastings,
East Sussex,
United Kingdom
Artist value certified
No data available yet
Achievements
Publications & Press
Solo Expositions
2023
Outsider
Eskişehir,
Eskişehir,
Türkiye
2023
Windows / Pencereler
Eskişehir,
Eskişehir,
Türkiye
Activity on ArtMajeur
Last modification date : Apr 17, 2025
(Member since 2020)
Image views: 91,987
Artworks by Simon Houlton added to favorite collections: 177
Latest News
All the latest news from contemporary artist Simon Houlton
Added Mar 6, 2025
World Book Day
🎨📖 Exciting News! My book has been featured in Hastings Online Times for #WorldBookDay!
The front cover also features one of my artworks.
As a working-class writer from small-town England, it means a lot to see my story reaching new audiences. Big thanks to Hastings Online Times for the support!
#WorldBookDay #IndieAuthor #Artmajeur #WritingCommunity #BookLover #SupportIndieWriters
Added Oct 27, 2023
‘Outsider’ solo exhibition
My second solo exhibition 'Outsider', ran between 09.10.23 – 12.10.23 in Eskişehir, Turkey. I was hoping to exhibit with a fellow outsider artist this time, but unfortunately, he had to pull out at the last minute.
The exhibition included 21 Paintings all painted within the last two years. Including my latest works Outsider and Sir Ox Hat.
In terms of scope, the artworks in this exhibition differ considerably from my first exhibition ‘Windows‘. Windows was mostly a collection of self-portraits hence the name suggesting that the artworks were a window into my internal process (with the obvious exception of Women Life Freedom).
Outsider, in contrast, seeks to explore a considerably more diverse range of subjects including war (Obverser), the pharmaceutical industry (Sir Ox Hat), Suicide (Ideation), work (nightshift in the rain), societal isolation (Outsider, The Misanthrope, Bigmouth, Exile), romantic relationships (Patlican Man, Fish Bones, My Robot Heart, King of Nowhere), absurdism (Certainty, Pudding Dash), political discourse (Judge, Jury, & Executioner) and Turkey’s devastating earthquake in February of this year (06/02/2023, Anxiety Overkill).
Added Sep 2, 2023
Joint Exhibition
Attila Özer Karikatür Evi, Eskibağlar, Eskişehir, Türkiye
Monday
9
October
2023
Thursday
12
October
2023
Pleased to announce an upcoming joint exhibition with Umut Arda Özen, details to follow .....
Added Jan 29, 2023
Windows / Pencereler
Hoşnudiye, İsmet İnönü-1 Blv 109A, 26130 Tepebaşı/Eskişehir, Türkiye
Tuesday
24
January
2023
Tuesday
14
February
2023
My solo exhibition at Musuem is up and running until the 14th of February 2023, featuring 25 selected pieces.
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