John H. Kinnear (1920-2003) was a Canadian artist, renowned for his abstract expressionist paintings. Born in Bedford, England, he later settled in London, Ontario, and became a significant figure in the Canadian art scene. Educated at Bedford Private Schools, Kinnear’s artistic journey was shaped by his experiences as a World War II combatant, prisoner of war, and campaigner in Africa and Europe. These profound experiences influenced the subjects and themes of his art, which varied from figures and landscapes to mystical and marine scenes.
Tic Tac For Anna Bulgari, Diamond Ball
After the war, Kinnear was a member of the Society of Canadian Artists and exhibited with the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. His paintings are held in both public and private collections worldwide, and he was notably recognized for his skillful use of watercolours and mastery of the 15th-century medium of silverpoint drawing.
Kinnear was not just an artist but also a thinker and a “pocket philosopher,” as he referred to himself. His art was not only a reflection of his encounters and observations but also an embodiment of his belief that art should be fun and a personal statement. He often painted elements of the English countryside, reflecting his love for the elements and the whimsical aspects of life, which he sometimes described as “tick-tacks” – playful splashes of colour done "just for fun."
His legacy is preserved not only in the vibrancy and emotion captured in his artworks but also in the written and recorded dialogues he had about his craft, his letters with other prominent artists particularly Maud Lewis, and his generous spirit of sharing knowledge and resources. Kinnear's thoughtful approach to his work and his interactions with other artists and the community epitomized his belief in the shared human experience through art.