Apples and the Old Jar 苹果和老罐 – Kan, John 阚志军 – 1008

Apples and the Old Jar

Fresh fruits symbolize the endless cycle of life, while the old jar and alphabet blocks carry the weight of time and memory. This composition conveys a sense of nostalgia and persistence.

The painting adopts a parallel composition with a minimalist spatial arrangement and a harmonious color palette. The quiet atmosphere invites contemplation and imagination.

Media: Oil in Canvas
Size: 30 in x 24 in
Artist: John Kan

John Kan (Also known as  has been passionate about painting since childhood. Beginning in elementary school, he studied fundamental painting techniques under professional art teachers at the Nantong Children's Palace and Youth Palace in Jiangsu, China. In 1989, he graduated from the Nanjing Normal University School of Fine Arts and subsequently pursued a career in art education. From 1989 to 1994, he taught fine arts courses in his hometown of Nantong.

In 1995, he was recruited to Shanghai through a special talent program. From 1995 to 1999, he served as the Art Editor at Shanghai Digest magazine and as the Chief Planner and General Manager of the Pudong branch of Shanghai Jingwen Advertising Company. In December 1999, he immigrated to Canada with his family. Since 2001, he has been a contracted artist with the art galleries of Hamilton and Burlington.

As a professional painter in both China and Canada, John Kan has long been dedicated to the research and creation of oil paintings, particularly in still life and landscape. Many of his works have been collected by institutions and private collectors. His paintings have been exhibited in China, Japan, the United States, and Canada, receiving numerous awards. Notably, his oil painting Afterglow was selected for the major art exhibition celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary, organized by the Greater Toronto Cultural Centre in 2017, where it won an award. His recent oil painting Old Oil Lampwas exhibited at the 3rd International Still Life Exhibition in 2022, also earning recognition.

In April 2022, he participated in the Turning Point Chinese Artists Exhibition in Toronto. Additionally, he has exhibited at the Oil Painters of Canada Exhibition in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

《苹果和老罐》

生生不息 ,永远轮回的新鲜水果，有时间记忆的老罐和识字积木。 

这个组合去表现怀旧和执着的理念 画面采取平行构图，简约空间，温和色彩，画面安静让人遐想。 

媒介： 油画
尺寸：30 in x 24 in
艺术家： 阚志军

阚志军、英文名John Kan、艺名阚子。自幼喜爱绘画、从小学开始就在江苏南通市少年宫. 青年宫跟随美术专业老师学习基础绘画。1989年毕业于南京师范大学美术学院，毕业后从事美术教学工作， 1989年至1994年在出生地家乡南通市教授绘画艺术专业课。1995年经由特殊人才计划引进上海，1995年至1999年任《上海文摘》杂志社艺术编辑，上海精文广告公司浦东分公司总策划和总经理。1999年12月随家庭移民定居加拿大，自2001年起成为哈密尔顿和伯灵顿两市美术艺术馆的签约画家。 作为一个中加职业画家，长期从事油画静物和风景的研究和创作，许多作品被机构和私人收藏。他的作品曾在中国、日本、美国、加拿大等地展出并获得各种奖项。值得一提的是他的油画作品《余辉》入选了大多伦多文化中心2017年举办的庆祝加拿大150周年的大型画展并获奖，最近的油画作品《老油灯》参加了2022年第三届国际静物展并获奖。2022 年4月参加了多伦多“转折点”华人画展。2022，2023，2024 年参加加拿大油画学会油画展