John Klein Australian, b. 1964

Overview

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..'

 

Works
Biography

Exhibitions/Art Prizes

 

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

 

 

 

Exhibitions