Throughout his years of travel, John encountered and befriended numerous fellow artists, designers, and visionaries. Below are but a few of the many lived he touched.

Alexander Calder

Alexander “Sandy” Calder (July 22, 1898 – November 11, 1976) was an American sculptor, painter, and printmaker. He is most widely known for his innovative mobiles (kinetic sculptures powered by motors or air currents) that embrace chance in their aesthetic, his static "stabiles", and his monumental public sculptures. In 1973, Calder was contracted by Braniff Intranational Airways to paint a Douglas DC-8-62 jet liner, and create a number of gouache paintings for commercial advertising. Under Braniff, Calder and John worked together, becoming fast friends and collaborating on what would be one of the most successful and innovative design campaigns of its time.

For more in-depth look at John, Calder, and their time at Braniff, please watch the interview on our Home page.

Information from Wikipedia via "Alexander Calder Introduction" from the Calder Foundation website https://calder.org.

Enrique Galdos-Rivas was born in Lima, Perú in 1933. He studied at the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes del Perú, graduating with the highest honors. His artwork was recognized at such prestigious events as the VI, VIII, and VIII Bienals de São Paulo, in Brazil (1961-1965), the II Biennial en Cordoba Argentina (1964), the Arte de America y España in Madrid, the Salón de Egresados en la Bellas Artes de Perú (1968), and the Biennial en Francia in Paris, France. In the United States, his work was exhibited at the Union Panamericana de Washington D.C., the IBM Gallery in New York City, NY, The Corcoran Gallery in Washington D.C., and in the South American Art Collection of Braniff International Airways.

Francisco J.C.C. Masseria at work in his Roman study

Francisco Masseria (aka I. Devini) was an Argentinian painter born in 1926. In June 1966, a military coup d'état ousted the liberal democratic government and established a period of military dictatorship that lasted until 1973. Masseria was labeled a “peronista” (a supporter of the exiled President Juan Perón) and forced into hiding because he had painted portraits of previous ruling authorities. During this time, John was introduced to Masseria’s work through a shared contact. Recognizing his talent, and sympathetic to his plight, John helped Masseria escape Argentina and relocate to Italy where he continued to paint under the pseudonym I. Devini.

Tomie Ohtake was a painter, printmaker, and sculptor whose work made a lasting impression in the realm of abstract art in Brazil, and worldwide. Born in Kyoto, Japan in 1913, Ohtake moved to Brazil in 1936. Her first major solo exhibition was at the Salão Nacional de Arte Moderna in 1957. Ohtake’s work continued to gain international recognition, leading to her participation in the São Paulo Biennale (1961), the Venice Biennale (1972), and the Tokyo Biennale (1978). Tomie Ohtake died in 2015 at the age of 101.