John Johnstone

John Johnstone is one of Scotland’s leading artists working in a figurative style. He was born in Forfar in 1941. He studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art from 1959 to 1964 under David McClure and Alberto Morrocco. He later returned to teach life drawing classes to a new generation of artists who have gone on to forge their own successful careers. He is a regular exhibitor at the Royal Scottish Academy and the Scottish Society of Artists and is a professional member of the Scottish Society of Artists and Scottish Visual Arts.

“My paintings seem to be expressing something, either serious or amusing about life. They depict people acting out minor dramas. Gesture, composition, characterisation and setting are important. There is an element of gravity in them, but the humorous side probably eclipses that aspect.”

Art historian Edward Lucie-Smith wrote: “John Johnstone is a unique artist – in the special sense that he has no problem in being original.  His only problem is keeping that originality within bounds.”

John has works in public and private collections at home and aboard including HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, Carnegie Trust’s Art Collection, Angus Council Collection, Dundee City Collection, The McManus Galleries Collection and Fife Council Museums West Collection.