About John Damari
John Damari is a Scottish-Italian contemporary painter known for expressive oils, distinctive palette-knife work and vibrant colour. His paintings draw on Western Scotland, the Hebrides, Northumberland and Italy.
Art shaped by two places
John’s interest in art began in childhood, encouraged by his father and wider family. Those early influences reached across Scotland and his native Italy, two places that continue to shape the subjects and colour of his work.
He later trained at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze in Florence, Italy, deepening a connection with Italian art and place that remains visible throughout his work.
Nature and the outdoors are central to his painting. The mountains and coastline of Western Scotland, Mid Argyll and the Hebridean islands recur throughout the portfolio, alongside Northumberland and Italian landscapes.
Colour, texture and atmosphere
John works principally in oil, with documented paintings on both canvas and board. The palette knife is a defining part of his visual language, allowing paint, colour and texture to remain direct and energetic.
Bold colour carries much of the expression. Rather than reproduce a subject photographically, John uses shape, surface and saturated colour to convey its feeling, movement and atmosphere.
His Italian subjects are informed by first-hand observation and photographs gathered while travelling, from Tuscan landscapes and poppy fields to the architecture and history of Rome.
A broad body of work
John’s portfolio ranges from Scottish crofts and seascapes to Italian landscapes, flowers, figures and character studies.
Two recurring landscapes
Selected works from Scotland and Italy show how place, colour and atmosphere move through John’s portfolio.
Supporting charitable causes
John has supported charitable causes through donated paintings, fundraising auctions, exhibitions and specially commissioned work.
John has donated art to ACCORD Hospice, the British Red Cross, Beatson Cancer Charity, Kidney Cancer Scotland, Marie Curie, Combat Stress, St Vincent’s Hospice and Galloway Fisheries Trust, The Shoot along with associated charities and community fundraising.