John Klein Australian, b. 1964
John Klein is a contemporary Australian artist who has been engaged in creative pursuits his entire career. His love for the visual arts has seen him drawn to the mediums of film, photography and painting. He has been a finalist in many art prizes including Doug Moran National Portrait Prize (2017), Kennedy Prize finalist (2018) and Mosman Art Prize (2013, 2014).
John enjoys collecting various objects which often become the subject matter for his unique still life paintings. He is an avid gardener which is also reflected throughout his floral subjects.
“I have been collecting vases and other objet d’art for the last thirty years. I am most interested in the designs from the arts and crafts, art nouveau and art deco periods, and these appear regularly in my paintings. Some of the vases I own and others I covet. My gardening interest was encouraged by my father, who was also an artist and trained under the legendary Rayner Hoff at East Sydney Technical College (now the National Art School) in the 1930s.”
It is truly fascinating to see all of John’s varied interests come together via his work. Whilst sometimes appearing decorative in nature, art collectors readily engage with John’s work through the deeper commentary on significant craftsmanship and tradition. John seeks to document and highlight a discussion about both quality design in our everyday utilitarian items, along with the restorative force of the bloom – a life force in nature.
His paintings are held in private collections in Italy, France, Germany, USA, United Kingdom and throughout Australia.
'I enjoy collecting various objects which often become the subject matter for my unique still life paintings. I am also an avid gardener which is also reflected throughout my floral subjects.
I have been collecting vases and other objet d’art for the last thirty years. I am most interested in the designs from the arts and crafts, art nouveau and art deco periods, and these appear regularly in my paintings. Some of the vases I own and others I covet. My gardening interest was encouraged by my father, who was also an artist and trained under the legendary Rayner Hoff at East Sydney Technical College (now the National Art School) in the 1930s.
Whilst sometimes appearing decorative in nature, my work has a deeper commentary on significant craftsmanship and tradition. I seek to document and highlight a discussion about both quality design in our everyday utilitarian items, along with the restorative force of the bloom – a life force in nature.
This body of work explores the interplay of mid-winter light on objects from my collection and in some of the paintings the shadows dominate the picture and become the focal point..'
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John KleinFritz Hansen Series 7 Chairs , 2024Oil on marmoleum30 x 30cm -
John KleinBig Blue Chair, 2024Oil on canvas90 x 90cm -
John KleinMid Century Kitchen Chairs , 2024oil on marmoleum30 x 30cm -
John KleinBig Red Chair, 2024Oil on canvas90 x 90cm
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John KleinHook, line and sinker, 2023Acrylic on canvas
Framed in oak30 x 30cm -
John KleinClose Shave, 2023Acrylic on canvas
Framed in oak30 x 30cm -
John KleinFlannel Flowers in Art Deco VaseOil on canvas; Framed in Oak76 x 102cm -
John KleinUnited We Stand, 2024Oil on canvas120 x 91cm
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John KleinGum Blossoms in Lovatt’s Pottery England JugOil on board; Framed in Oak50 x 25cm -
John KleinProtea in Beswick JugOil on board; Framed in Oak50 x 25cm -
John KleinWhite Waratah in Beswick JugOil on panel; Framed in Oak50 x 25cm -
John KleinAll the World's a Stage, 2021Oil on canvas61 x 46cmSold
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John KleinCornucopia, 2024Oil on canvas120 x 91cmSold -
John KleinNasturtiums in Nautalis Vase, 2022Oil on Birch panel20 x 25Sold -
John KleinRanunculus in Clarice Cliff Vase, 2020Acrylic on wood panel20 x 25 cmSold -
John KleinGum Blossoms in Art Deco Vase, 2020Acrylic on canvas76 x 76cmSold
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John KleinGumnuts and Banksia Pods in Crown Devon JugOil on board; Framed in Oak50 x 25cmSold -
John KleinArt Deco Daffodils, 2020Oil on canvas61 x 50.8cm (framed)Sold
Exhibitions/Art Prizes
2024
Moderne Living - Solo Exhibition, Into-Arts
Petite Collection - Christmas Exhibition
Petite Collection - Found and Foraged
Hunters Hill Art Prize - Finalist
Lindfield Art Fair
St Thomas Art and Craft Show
Affordable Art Fair Sydney
2023
Blossom - Solo exhibition, Into-Arts
The Other Art Fair
Lindfield Art Show
St Thomas’ Art and Craft Show
Little Things Art Prize - Finalist
Cornucopia - Solo exhibition SOHOStudio
Archibald Prize Salon des Refusés, S.H Ervin Gallery
Affordable Art Fair Sydney
Contempo, KAB Gallery
2022
Eclectic - Solo exhibition, Into-Arts
Lindfield Art Show
Glenaeon Art Show
St Thomas’ Art and Craft Show
Lane Cove Art Prize - Finalist
Hunters Hill Art Prize - Finalist
Lethbridge 20,000 Salon des Refusés
Affordable Art Fair Sydney
Gallipoli Art Prize - Finalist
2021
Halcyon Days - Solo exhibition, Into-Arts
Floral Deco - Solo exhibition, Brenda Colahan Fine Art
Still Life - Group Exhibition The Space Gallery
Group Show, Corner Store Gallery
2021
Still Life - Group Show, The Space Gallery
2020
Home - Solo exhibition, Into-Arts
10 x 8 Group Show, Corner Store Gallery
Group Show, Paper Pear
2019
End of Year Group Show, Gallery 307
Culture Crash - Group Show, ARO Gallery
St Thomas’ Art and Craft Show
Brilliant Creatures, Vivid Shop Gallery
Big, Gallery 307
Lethbridge 20000 – Finalist
Hunters Hill Art Prize – Finalist
Autumn Light, Gallery 307
Royal Easter Show
Lindfield Art Show
Portraits & Figures, Gallery 307
2018
End of Year Group Show, Gallery 307
Glenaeon Art Show
St Thomas’ Art and Craft Show
Bloom – Group Show, Incinerator Art Space
Kings School Art Show
Kennedy Art Prize – Finalist
Lane Cove Art Award – Finalist
Year of the Dog – Group Show, Milk Factory Gallery
Lethbridge 10000 – Online Finalist
Hunters Hill Art Prize – Finalist
Royal Easter Show
Lindfield Art Show
2017
Doug Moran National Portrait Prize – Semi-finalist
Blacktown Art Prize – Finalist
Balmain Art and Craft Show
St Thomas’ Art & Craft Show
Epping Boys High School Art Show
Big Country – Solo Exhibition, Artshine Gallery
Lindfield Art Show
2016
Glenaeon Art Show
St Thomas’ Art and Craft Show
Squawk! – Solo Exhibition, Brush Farm House
Flushed, Red, Rubicund and Scarlet – Group Show, See Street Gallery
St Gregory’s Art Show
Lindfield Art Show
2015
Change of Season – Group Show, Breathing Colours
Looking for Sound: Pure and Simple – Group Show, See Street Gallery
Botanicus – Solo Exhibition, Breathing Colours
Balmain Art and Craft Show
2014
Brave Art – Group Show, Breathing Colours
International Women’s Day Art Prize – Finalist
Leichhardt Art Trail – Group Show, Flourish Arts
I Wish – Solo Exhibition, Breathing Colours
Mosman Art Prize – Finalist
Lane Cove Art Prize (Highly Commended Award)
Can’t Wait Til Summer – Group Show, Breathing Colours
Ryde Art Society Show
Balmain Art and Craft Show
Hornsby Art Prize – Finalist
2013
International Women’s Day Art Prize – Finalist
Mosman Art Prize – Finalist
Lane Cove Art Prize – Finalist
Northbridge Art Prize – Finalist
2012
Northbridge Art Prize – Finalist
Hornsby Art Prize -Finalist
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Joie de Noël
An exhibition of exquisite small artworks 22 Nov - 24 Dec 202420+artists in a variety of genres & media.. BCFA will donate 10% of sales proceeds to Ars Musica Australis - the charity providing young artist scholarships in music performance, dance...Read more -
A BCFA Summer
January & February 2024 20 Jan - 10 Feb 2024BCFA presents a vibrant selection of summer themed artwork by our artists.Read more -
Floral Deco
John Klein 18 Sep - 2 Oct 2021Read more