About John
John’s exquisite botanical delineations have been likened to the fine creations of Verdura as they possess incredible attention to detail and a jewel like quality.
John says of his work: “My style is strictly accurate realism but minimal in composition – it could be described as either Japanese inspired or having art nouveaux influences.
Anita von Bibra, Woodbine Art curator, says of John’s work: “When you or I look at a plant, it is in a very different way to John, he observes with great clarity and intensity every curve, leaf or thorn. The works appeal because of John’s powerful observation of the intricacies and structures of the plant.”
James Kay, Former Illustrations Curator, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: “The botanical studies that John produces are tirelessly accurate, and yet are not shackled by their attention to detail; appearing as they do as fluid as well composed illustrations.
“John’s acumen for the medium allows his paintings to maintain a bright and luminous palette, indicative of specimens growing in the warmer climates. Artists like John are important not only in the world of taxonomy for their accurate portrayals of plants, but (because) they help to raise the profile of the remarkable flora of the world that is seldom seen as fast becoming endangered.”
Numerous public and private collections around the world, house John’s work. A recipient of many awards and recognition, including a commission for the Highgrove Florilegium under the aegis of the His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales charitable foundation, has afforded John international recognition.
Studies
John studied a doctorate in botany at University of Vigo, (Spain). This resulted in a strong academic background in botany which he combines with his passion for botanical art which ultimately influences his distinctive composition and painting style.
John has expanded his teaching circuit both interstate and international, educating his unique approach to the art form. John provides artistic instruction and scientific understanding of the plant subjects to his students. For further information about locations and dates please refer to the news and events section.
Career Highlights
During the last 5 years, John has focused on expanding his work globally attracting the attention of many prominent collectors and fine art galleries. He has exhibited collections at the Winter Exhibition, Westminster for the Royal Horticultural Society, London and has been awarded Gold, (2005), Silver Gilt (2006) and Silver (2005 & 2007) medals.
John Adams, the curator of John Adams Fine Art, invited John to mount a solo exhibition of his work to coincide with the world renowned Chelsea Flower Show in 2006. This exhibition was formally opened by the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency the Honourable Richard Alston and was enthusiastically received.
Success and exposure from the UK exhibitions has lead to a commission for the prestigious Highgrove Florilegium project, under the aegis of the Prince of Wales' Charitable Foundation. John attended the function at Highgrove in July 2008 where he was presented to H.R.H. Prince Charles.
More recently John’s work has been acquired by the leading centre for botanical art in the United States, the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation at the Carnegie Mellon University. These works were included in the prestigious Hunt Institute International Exhibition in 2007, and have subsequently become part of this renowned permanent collection.
John’s painting of the Bunya Pine, Araucaria bidwillii and the Cobra Lilly, Arisaema griffithii were selected for inclusion in the "Illustrated Garden" portfolio. This project was established to create an illustrated record, or florilegium, of significant plants growing in the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens.
John was commissioned to paint the Wollemi Pine, Wollemia nobilis, for the Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, which was published in the Volume 24, Number 3, August 2007, pp. 155-161. These works were recently displayed in the Trees of Kew Exhibition at the Shirley Sherwood Gallery and included in a recent publication ‘the Plant Hunter’. One of the images: female cone has been used for the Kew Gardens official Patrons card. Another work, a painting of a Dracula orchid, Dracula simia, has also been selected by Kew’s Royal Botanic Gardens library.
John is constantly planning exhibitions around the world as well as an intensive teaching circuit. For the updates on John’s activities please refer to the News & Events section.