John Bartlett was born in London in 1960. He studied at the Royal Academy Schools (1991–94). Following art school he worked at the National Gallery while developing his practice. Since relocating to Folkestone in 2013, he has worked full-time as an artist. Bartlett is best known for 'History Painting' (1993–94), depicting the Poll Tax Riots, now in the permanent collection of the Museum of London. His work is held in public collections including the Museum of London, Guildhall Art Gallery, the V&A Museum of Childhood and the Royal Academy of Arts. Career highlights include a mid-career retrospective at Guildhall Art Gallery, 'London Sublime' (2012–13), and inclusion in 'The Big City' (2023).
Curriculum Vitae
BORN
1960 London
EDUCATION
1991-94 Royal Academy Schools – Post Graduate in Painting
1990-91 Byam Shaw School of Art – PG in Fine Art (Painting)
1980-83 Maidstone College of Art – B.A. (Hons) Degree in Fine Art (Painting)
1979-80 Braintree College of Further Education – Foundation Course in Art & Design
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2020 Safe House – virtual online exhibition
2014 Interference – Osborne Gallery, Belgravia
2012-13 London Sublime – Guildhall Art Gallery, London
2009 Anonymous – Tate Newington
1994 Street – Yarrow Gallery, Oundle Public School
1988 Ways of Seeing – Braintree Arts Centre
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2026
LAF – Siger Gallery
Baroque/Rococo – New Art Projects, London
A.A.F Battersea – Siger Gallery
A.A.F Hong Kong – Siger Gallery
2025
London Art Fair – Siger Gallery
A.A.F Battersea – Siger Gallery
A.A.F. Singapore – Siger Gallery
A.A.F Hong Kong – Siger Gallery
A Day in the Life – School Gallery, Folkestone.
2024
Salon Des Etrangers – Venice Italy
A.A.F. Singapore – Siger Gallery
A.A.F Hong Kong – Siger Gallery
A.A.F Battersea – Siger Gallery
2023
Affordable Art Fair – Singapore – Siger Gallery
Summer Open – Townhouse Spitalfields, London
The Big City – Guildhall Art Gallery, London
Spring Open – Folkestone Art Gallery
2022
Christmas Open – Folkestone Art Gallery
London Art Fair – Osborne Samuel Gallery
Modern British & Contemporary – Osborne Samuel Gallery, London
2020
Spring Exhibition – JP Art Gallery - Blackheath, London
2018
Long Summer Show – John Martin Gallery, London
2017
Chiaroscuro – Alex Macarthur Interiors – Rye, East Sussex
London Art Fair – Cynthia Corbett Gallery
2016
Started showing with McCully & Crane – Rye East Sussex
2015
Lynn Painter Stainer’s Prize Exhibition – Mall Galleries, London
2014
Beano’s Café & Bloom’s Restaurant - Folkestone Triennial (Fringe)
2013
Invited Artist – R.A. Summer Show, London
Safe House – Snowfields, London
2012
Panasonic Product Launch – ICA, London
2011/12
Driven to Draw – Royal Academy of Arts, London
2010
Lynn Painter Stainer’s Prize Exhibition, London
2006
City of Heaven, City of Hell – Guildhall Art Gallery, London
2002
Group Show – Adam Street Gallery, London
2001
Creative Quarters – the Art world in London 1700 – 2000 – Museum of London
Staff Exhibition – National Gallery, London
2000
Acme Open Studios – Bonner Road, London
1999
Selected Figurative Artists – Marks & Spencer’s H.Q. London
Conflicts of Interest – Museum of London
1998
Whitechapel Open Studios, London
1996-97
The Motor Show –– Art Circuit touring exhibition
1996
Whitechapel Open Studios, London
1994
R.A. School’s Final Show
R.A. Summer Show
Out of the Nineties – Mall Galleries, London
R.A. School’s Premiums Show – Sotheby’s, London
Greenwich Theatre Foyer, London
1993
Cocktail – Raw Gallery, London
Mick Rooney R.A. & six selected artists – Bone Gallery, London
1992
R.A. Summer Show
R.A. School’s Premium’s Show – Royal Academy of Arts, London
1991
Post Graduate Final Show – Byam Shaw School of Art, London
1983
Stowell’s Trophy – Royal Academy Arts, London
Degree Show – Maidstone College of Art
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Museum of London
V&A Museum of Childhood
Guildhall Art Gallery, London
Royal Academy of Arts
COMMISSIONS
1995 – B.A.A. – Heathrow Airport
AWARDS
1994 Richard Ford Award (Spanish Scolarship)
1994 Residency – Oundle Public School
1994 Richard Jack Prize
1992 Edwin Landseer Scholarship
1992 Eric Kennington prize for drawing
1991 Bird’s Charity (R.A.)
1991 Bernard Bershinger Bursary
1979 William Lake Prize
TEACHING
Sunny Art Academy, Covent Garden London