John Scott’s contemporary graphic paintings are reminiscent of street art.

Worse than Ghosts

More Works By John Scott Acrylic on Paper
37.5 × 25 in 95.25 × 63.5 cm
FRAMED
42.5 × 30 in 107.95 × 76.2 cm
$5,500
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About Worse than Ghosts

John Scott’s contemporary graphic paintings are reminiscent of street art.

Art critics admired the provocative, bold artwork of John Scott, whose imagery is informed by his working-class upbringing during the era of the Cold War. Scott is credited with being one of the few Canadian artists whose work spoke to both the fragility of humanity and the horrors of war. His singular style, reminiscent of street art expressed in crude black lines and simple graphic form, is evident in this acrylic painting that features a menacing figure in black against a bright yellow backdrop. The title, ‘Worse than Ghosts’ appears in child-like print around the image and suggests the potential for evil resides in all men.

“There’s a weariness with human beings’ inability to change…When I think of all the other kinds of advances that are being made constantly in the realm of military technology, which becomes more and more effective and more and more diverse. It’s everywhere. To think that it’s spread to children is something, and the real thing is in the hands of children now. I find that worrisome for the soul. “ John Scott

John Scott (1950-2022) was born to a working-class family in 1950 Windsor, Ontario. His father worked in a local factory and died of emphysema when John was only 11 years old. As a teenager, John left school after Grade Ten and, to help support his family, worked at assembly line jobs.
In 1972, he followed his older brother to Toronto and for the next four years attended the Ontario College of Art, the University of Toronto and Centennial College. Scott became a Professor in the Drawing and Painting program of the Faculty of Art at OCAD University in Toronto and taught there for 38 years.
In 2000, he was the first recipient of the Governor General's Award in Visual Arts and Media.
John Scott exhibited extensively, and his work can be found in private and public collections in both Canada and the United States, notably the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa and The Museum of Modern Art, New York.
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