John Kindness
Encyclopedia
John Kindness is an Irish multi-media artist whose work often contrasts material, image and reference in an unusual and humorous way. He attended the Belfast College of Art
and now lives and works in Dublin.
Typical of Kindness's work is the Treasures of New York series he produced when he spent time in New York
in the early 1990s. Here, scenes inspired by contemporary life but modelled in style on Athenian ceramics are painted on panels from New York yellow cab
s, equating the significance and stature of contemporary life with that of classical times. He is also known for his use of tiles in sculpture, often contrasting the domestic and static association of tiling with a dynamic and epic subject.
University of Ulster
The University of Ulster is a multi-campus, co-educational university located in Northern Ireland. It is the largest single university in Ireland, discounting the federal National University of Ireland...
and now lives and works in Dublin.
Typical of Kindness's work is the Treasures of New York series he produced when he spent time in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in the early 1990s. Here, scenes inspired by contemporary life but modelled in style on Athenian ceramics are painted on panels from New York yellow cab
Taxicabs of New York City
The taxicabs of New York City, with their distinctive yellow paint, are a widely recognized icon of the city. Taxicabs are operated by private companies and licensed by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. The Commission is a New York City government agency that is best known for its...
s, equating the significance and stature of contemporary life with that of classical times. He is also known for his use of tiles in sculpture, often contrasting the domestic and static association of tiling with a dynamic and epic subject.
Work in collections or on display
- The Big FishThe Big FishThe Big Fish also called the Bigfish is a printed ceramic mosaic sculpture by John Kindness 10 metres long constructed in 1999 in Donegall Quay in Belfast, near the Lagan Lookout and Custom House....
(1999), Donegall Quay, Belfast - Waterfall of Souvenirs (1991),
- The Art Council of Northern Ireland, including:
- Hermes (1990)
- The Victoria and Albert MuseumVictoria and Albert MuseumThe Victoria and Albert Museum , set in the Brompton district of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, England, is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects...
, London - The Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin
- The Boston Museum of Fine Art, Boston
- The Ulster MuseumUlster MuseumThe Ulster Museum, located in the Botanic Gardens in Belfast, has around 8,000 square metres of public display space, featuring material from the collections of fine art and applied art, archaeology, ethnography, treasures from the Spanish Armada, local history, numismatics, industrial...
, Belfast, including:- The Belfast Frescoes
- The Imperial War Museum, London, including:
- Sectarian Armour (1994)
- The Hugh Lane Municipal GalleryHugh Lane Municipal GalleryDublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane is an art gallery funded by Dublin City Council and located in Charlemont House in Dublin, Ireland. Charlemont House was originally the town house of James Caulfeild, the 1st Earl of Charlemont and was designed by Sir William Chambers.Previously called the...
, Dublin, including:- Monkey and Dog (1986)
- The Arts Council of Ireland:
- Winged Sneaker (1990)
- Design for a New Bridge Across the River Liffey