John Spiteri

John Spiteri was born in 1967 on Gadigal Country (Sydney, Australia) and continues to live and work on Darug Country.

Spiteri’s work is distinguished by its rich tones and layered textures, evoking a wide spectrum of associations. Archaeological and modernist references infuse his paintings with an atmosphere of mystery and reverence. Working with a restrained, earthy palette and archetypal forms, he creates visually poetic compositions that draw viewers in through subtlety and sensuality.

His process involves continual cycles of building and reducing: layers of oil and enamel paint are applied to canvas, then deliberately scraped back to reveal expressive, gestural marks. Echoing Surrealist methods, Spiteri incorporates elements of automatic drawing working alongside conscious, intuitive decision‑making.

While his paintings are fundamentally abstract, their titles anchor them in the contemporary world, referencing land, sea, and social experience. These hints suggest impressions or “bruises” of memory shaped, softened, and abstracted by time and distance.