John Maitland was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. He attended Kings College, Newcastle to study art. John has been showing his work since the early 70's in England and his work has been on show in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast since his arrival in Australia in 1975.
John's entry in the "Tribute to Mary McKillop" exhibition was one of the Finalists and was nominated as one of the finest paintings of the show. It was part of a national tour in 1996 and this work was hung in Parliament House, Canberra, the Powerhouse Museum and The State Gallery of South Australia.
Maitland’s skillfully executed oil and acrylic paintings are informed by figurative expressionism and imbued with rigorous colour and texture to denote emotive nuance. Drawing on inspiration from visits to the European galleries John has completed several works reflecting his fascination with the classical sculptures. During his trips to the UK, Ireland, Florence and Paris he was introduced to a style variation, using found objects and facades.
John's work is held in private collections and corporate, such as ‘Nestle’, throughout Australia and internationally. He has been asked to present works to the Earl of Lauderdale for his personal collection. Maitland’s innovative style is created and conceived outdoors, exposed to the elements and the extreme heat of the sun.
Broad, sweeping brushstrokes and the strength of his paint application give rawness and beauty in an understated way, thus the paradox of power versus gentleness which contributes to the evocative and distinctive character in his paintings. He avoids photographic representation, preferring to allow colour, distortion and texture to evoke a response.
