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..'