Barry John MBE

Barry John MBE is a Welsh soldier and artist. He served in the British armed forces for over 23 years. In the 2010 New Year Honours List he was awarded the MBE. He is mainly an abstract artist. Through his work he expresses stories, memories, demons, harsh and sometimes brutal truths, and the beauty, colours and resilience of a conflicted world.

He was born in Neyland, Pembrokeshire, and was a pupil at Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest, before joining the Army at 16. His first posting was to Hong Kong, with further postings to Korea, China, Malaysia, Jamaica, the USA, Germany, Poland, Cyprus, Northern Ireland and Kosovo.

The experiences of that service form most of the content of his art. He now lives and works in Pembrokeshire, where he founded The VC Gallery.