John Macfarlane was born in Scotland and studied at the Glasgow School of Art. He was awarded The Leverhulme Prize on graduation. He received an Arts Council of Great Britain Trainee Designer award and spent some time as Resident Designer at the Young Vic Theatre in London.

For the first fifteen years of his career he worked mainly in dance with many of the major international companies.

Latterly John has focussed on opera where he designs both sets and costumes. In addition to his opera and dance work, John Macfarlane exhibits regularly as a painter and print maker in the UK, US and Europe. John is based in CardiffJohn is an internationally renowned designer having worked with companies including Birmingham Royal Ballet, Canadian Royal Ballet, Danish Royal Ballet, Vienna State Opera, Scottish Opera, Paris Opera and many more. John’s work has received international acclaim in the form of an Olivier Award and the Royal Philharmonic Award. 

John’s works hang in many prestigious public collections including the National Museum of Wales; the V & A in London; the Albertina, Vienna; Hunterian Museum, Glasgow; the Archive of l’Opera, Paris and the Collection of the Metropolitan Opera, New York.

For further information on John's work, visit his website. 

Graffeg publish first book on internationally renowned theatre designer and painter John Macfarlane.
As one of the leading influencers in theatric art, John Macfarlane is widely regarded as one of the finest theatre designers and painters. John’s work has

appeared in major collections, galleries and exhibitions in Cardiff, London, Chicago, Vienna, Glasgow, Paris and New York.

This is the first book about John Macfarlane and his works, both within and outside of the theatre world. The artwork covers his full range including still life, costume design drawings from the various operas and ballets he’s worked in, drawings and paintings.

Along with a host of his works, this book includes insightful captions about each featured performance which provide background details to the ballets and operas and the work that went into the designs for each.

Anthony Freud OBE says, ‘I am thrilled that this book will allow both those who have already experienced John’s marvellous work and those who are encountering it for the first time to dive into his immersive worlds.’

Sir David McVicar says, ‘John is an immensely accomplished painter, obviously, but also a talented musician and a collaborator with a keen sense of dramaturgy. Working with him is a pretty extraordinary experience.’