About the artist
Born in 1951 as Humphrey Anthony Erdeswick Butler-Bowdon, Humphrey Ocean spent his youthful years studying art at Canterbury from 1970-1973. While hitting the books, he was also hitting the bass for Kilburn and the Highroads, even opening for The Who in '73. His first big solo exhibition was in London's National Portrait Gallery in '84, with further showcases at Tate Liverpool and Whitechapel Art Gallery. Dulwich Picture Gallery hosted him as artist in residence in 2002. His distinctive portraits often grace the National Portrait Gallery. He educated as the Royal Academy’s Professor of Perspective from 2012-2020.
His early work includes designing album covers and contributing pencil art, notably for 10cc's '75 album and Paul McCartney's '76 Wings album. His acclaimed portraits include Paul McCartney and poet Philip Larkin. He is now based in London.
