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Artist Profile - John Wynne Hopkins
John Wynne Hopkins was born in 1954 in Dafen, Llanelli, Wales and his family immigrated to Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) when he was five weeks old. He was brought up in Africa but returned to Wales to be educated at Llandovery College, Cardiff College of Art and Trinity College Carmarthen, where he trained as an art teacher. Taught in the 'Beacon School', Buckinghamshire before returning to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Commissioned in the Rhodesian Army and served in the 1st Battalion Rhodesian African Rifles. John returned to Wales in 1982. For many years John has painted wildlife, military and aviation scenes and enjoys painting Welsh landscape in plein air. Attained a Bachelor of Education Degree in 1988.
His military commissions have included the 1st Bn. Rhodesian Light Infantry, 1st Battalion Rhodesian African Rifles, 1 Regiment Army Air Corps., 4 Regt Army Air Corps, 7 Regt Army Air Corps., 9 Regt Army Air Corps, 5 Regt Army Air Corps (Northern Ireland) , R Sqn 22 SAS, A Coy 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Wales, The 1st Battalion the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, 1 Transport Regiment Royal Logistics Corps and the 4/7 th Royal Dragoon Guards.
John has exhibited work with the Guild of Aviation Artists open exhibition in London and in 1992 had work accepted for the Society of Wildlife Artists open exhibition held in the Mall Galleries, London. In November 1992 he was made an Associate of the Guild of Aviation Artists and exhibited work with Gallery Militaire in the Art Mart Show, The Design Centre, Islington, London. 1993 saw John on exercise with the Air Mobile Brigade, 9 Regt Army Air Corps, on Salisbury plain, a week end on exercise with 672 Squadron 9 Regt AAC, 21 and 23 SAS on the Mull of Kintyre Scotland. 5 Regt Army Air Corps (Northern Ireland) flew John out from Swansea for a three-day visit, which included a tour of the Province and military bases.
1995 was an interesting year as John was commissioned by the 1st Battalion the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment to do a painting in Bosnia. He spent a number of days on Mt Igman over looking Sarajevo during his eight days in Bosnia in July. 9 Regiment Army Air Corps, The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps also commissioned Bosnian paintings. In August 1995 John returned to Zimbabwe to spend three weeks painting in the bush, in the area of Chizarira. In 1997 John visited 5 Royal Irish Regiment in BallyKelly, Northern Ireland to do research for a series of Northern Ireland military paintings. 1 Transport Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps commissioned John to do a montage painting of their operations in Northern Ireland in 1998.
In 1999 665 Squadron Army Air Corps commissioned a painting of their operations in Northern Ireland and 659 Squadron Army Air Corps invited me out to Kosovo to gather information for a painting of their operations.
In 2001 and 2002 a number of paintings were completed for 9 Regt Army Air Corps and 4 Regt Army Air Corps, which included a painting of Prestina Airport, Kosovo, Macrahanish, Wotton Airfield and the Freedom of Ipswich parade.
2006 saw John completing a commission for 9 Regiment Army Air Corps of the latest attack helicopter the Apache AH1.
2009 the 4/7 th Royal Dragoon Guards commissioned a painting of their latest MC winner Sgt C.P.Richards MC, Charge of the Knights, Basra Iraq, 4 th April 2008. In 2010 Col John Waddy of Arnhem fame commissioned a painting of the drop of the 4 th Parachute Brigade, Gienkle Heide, 18 th September 1944, Arnhem, during Operation Market Garden. John spent a week with Col John Waddy and the Military Academy looking at the battlefield. John has been invited back to Arnhem in 2011.
Alouette III Helicopter of Rhodesian Fireforce 1979
An Alouette III discharges a Fireforce stick during the vicious Rhodesian Bush war.
Printed on high quality fine art, smooth, matt paper. Signed, limited edition of 1000 prints.
Size 560mm x 360mm
Our Price: £50.00 + £6.99 P&P
RLI Fireforce 1979
Alouette G-Kars come into land as a Rhodesian Light Infantry Fireforce operation reaches its conclusion. An amazing artwork from John Wynne Hopkins that captures the exhaustion of conflict.
Printed on high quality fine art, smooth, matt paper. Signed, limited edition of 1000 prints.
Size 560mm x 360mm
Our Price: £50.00 + £6.99 P&P
Fireforce Dakota
A Rhodesian Air Force Dakota discharges a Fireforce into action - as part of the all-arms response, Rhodesian Light Infantry Troopies parachute from the venerable Dakota.
Printed on high quality fine art, smooth, matt paper. Signed, limited edition of 1000 prints.
Size 560mm x 360mm
Our Price: £50.00 + £6.99 P&P