John Devane was born in Blackpool in 1954 and studied at the Royal College of Art. He is Professor of Painting at Coventry University: Faculty of Arts & Humanities and Professor of Painting with the RBSA (Royal Birmigham Society of Artists) 

He has exhibited widely and has works in a number of public and private collections, including: Unilever Collection, Ocean Transport and Trade PLC, Coventry University, The Imperial War Museum, British Council collections in Oviedo and Las Palmas.

1995: 'The Discerning Eye Exhibition: Mall Galleries London' selected by David Lee
1995: Exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery as part of the BP Portrait award: Painting entitled: 'In the house of the cellist'
2005: Shortlisted for the Garrick Milne Prize for Theatrical Portraiture: Painting entitled: 'The juvenile lead'
2013: Finalist and awarded second prize for the BP Portrait award 2013. Painting entitled 'The uncertain time'
2013: Solo show at Lewis Gallery Rugby 2nd September – Friday 4th October: weekdays only 2pm – 5pm

2014: Solo exhibition: 'Echoes' Lanchester Gallery

2015: Painting entitled 'Young Terry' selected for 'OPEN 2015' Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum  15 May- 12 July 2015 

2015 Two paintings included in the 'SALON' Exhibition as part of New Art West Midlands initiative, at the Waterhall Gallery, Birmigham Museum & Art Gallery.

        2018: One painting entitled 'Weeping Woman' selected for the 2018 Columbia Threadneedle Prize: Mall Galleries 31st Jan- 17th Feb.

        2018: John Devane Paintings solo show with VJBARTS commenced 12/01/2018 at Sixty Threadneedle St London EC2R 8HP until mid-May 2018

        2018-19 John Devane Paintings 'All that glitters' 10 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7JD  courtesy of VJB Arts  (20/09/18 until 16/01/2019)

 John Devane was Head of Department of Design & Visual Arts at Coventry University from 2005 until 2015. He then became Acting Head of the School of Art & Design in the Faculty of Arts & Humanities in Coventry University until June 2017.