Johannes Kunst 1938-2017

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Johannes Kunst was a painter who found inspiration in his childhood memories of WWII Europe. His unique style was shaped by his earliest influence, Vincent Van Gogh, whose use of bold, bright colors left a lasting impression on Kunst. Through decades of working and experimenting in various forms of art, Kunst's work continued to evolve, always reflecting his inner self.

Despite emigrating to the United States after the war, Kunst always stayed connected to his Dutch heritage. He spent time living and working in both the Netherlands and the U.S., and his art was shown in galleries and museums throughout both countries.

In the early 1980s, Kunst moved to the Pacific Northwest, where he continued to paint. He opened the Hanke Gallery in Seattle, where he showed his work alongside some of the most influential up-and-coming artists of the time, including Diebenkorn, Jasper Johns, Robert Motherwell, Claes Oldenburg, Frank Stella, and Andy Warhol.

Throughout his career, Kunst's work remained rooted in his childhood memories of WWII Europe, and he continued to use bold, bright colors to express his inner self. His paintings reflected his unique style and the evolution of his artistic vision over decades of hard work and dedication to his craft.

Johannes Kunst passed away in 2017, leaving behind a legacy of art that will continue to inspire and captivate audiences for years to come. His work serves as a reminder of the power of art to express deeply personal experiences and emotions, and to connect us all through shared human experiences.