Born in 1967, John followed an Arts Foundation course at the Manchester Polytechnic followed by a BA (hons) in Fine Art. He rapidly became an enthusiastic Community Artist in association with Salford Libraries and the artist in residence at the RC High School, Blackley, Manchester.

Print workshops followed in various Museums and The Major Galleries in Manchester, The Whitworth and the City Art Gallery, and John's work has also featured in many selected exhibitions. A recent exhibition "Tales of Power" at the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, showed work created in a collaborative residency project with inner city schools.