The Prolific Art of Johannes Kunst
"Johannes’ style evolved through the decades, though certain elements — including bold palettes, figurative abstractions and a keen sense of humor — remained constant. He worked for various design firms throughout his life and even founded a greeting card line. His personal work, however, was inspired by humanitarian issues, current events and his own life." .
"Johannes was driven by a sense of social purpose — both as an artist and a person".
“He was an environmentalist,” she continued. “He deeply cared for the people, and he was terrified about the world we’re living in right now. And he puts that all on paper, but with really nice, bright colors and very funny things in it as well”.
"The works of Johannes likens him to artists such as Joan Miró, Paul Klee, and Niki de Saint Phalle. And while some paintings touch on complex themes, they are “tempered by a sense of whimsy and imagination, drawing viewers into a fantastical world that is both visually captivating and intellectually engaging".
Johannes Kunst
1938-2017
Celebrating the Legacy of
Johannes Kunst
"A lifetime of color, imagination, and resilience"
Welcome to the world of Johannes Kunst (1938–2017) — a Dutch-born artist whose vibrant, symbolic artwork was shaped by one of the most defining events of the 20th century.
For Johannes, art was never a choice; it was a "prolific compulsion," a life-sustaining breath that converted the shadows of history into a radiant language of hope.
The Sanctuary of the Attic
Johannes’s creative soul was forged in the attic of his grandparents’ farm in Opeinde during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. This was not a place of hiding, but a limitless sanctuary—a sacred territory where a young boy was free to imagine, play, and create.
Surrounded by the "forgotten things" of the rafters, Johannes built a stage for his mind. While the "click-clack" of boots echoed in the streets of Leeuwarden, Johannes was busy constructing a sovereign kingdom of color and form. This early experience defined his lifelong belief that the human imagination is a territory that no darkness can occupy.
“The war affected my whole life... You live it every day.”
— Johannes Kunst
A Visual Storyteller Across Time and Place
After emigrating to the U.S. in 1958, Johannes’s style evolved into a sophisticated fusion of European modernism and West Coast energy. His work is celebrated for its bold, expressive palettes and a "Where’s Waldo" intricacy—a technical mastery born from a child’s need to "scan" the world for both beauty and danger.
Whether he was reflecting on the "young and hurt" soldiers of his youth or tackling global humanitarian crises, Johannes painted with a fearless voice reminiscent of Joan Miró and Paul Klee. He used "really nice, bright colors" to invite viewers into deep, poignant conversations about survival, compassion, and the shared human soul.
A Legacy Reclaimed
Johannes Kunst painted for expression, not for fame. He was a "compulsive" creator who produced thousands of works—visual diaries that speak volumes without a single word. Today, this extraordinary body of work is being lovingly preserved and curated by his wife and lifelong muse, Harmanna Kunst.
As the Lone Sentry of his archive, Harmanna is dedicated to sharing Johannes’s vast collection of paintings with the global art community. His art stands as a visual testament to the power of creative freedom and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
"Johannes was a storyteller—but instead of a diary, he used paint, line, and color. His art speaks volumes."
— Harmanna Kunst
We invite you to explore his story and experience his art. Step into a world where memory meets imagination, and where every piece is a celebration of a life lived in full color.