John Wilkinson (1942-2026)

In Memory of John Wilkinson

This spring we lost John Wilkinson, a remarkable sculptor and a dear friend of the gallery. John’s work has been part of the story of Cynthia Winings Gallery since the beginning, and I feel deeply grateful that I was able to share his sculpture with our community over the years — both inside the gallery and, later, in the outdoor sculpture garden that became such an important part of the landscape here.

When I was first creating the sculpture garden, I remember John offering his advice. His guidance was simple, thoughtful, and something I have carried with me ever since. He told me that sculpture in the landscape should not just be scattered about; it should be placed in relationship to something — a tree, a shrub, a rock, a clearing, a particular space where the work feels as though it belongs. The sculpture should have a conversation with its surroundings.

I think about that every day.

John understood that sculpture is not only an object, but also a presence. His works were beautifully engineered, carefully considered, and often quietly playful. Many of the sculptures I showed were painted white or made from light-colored materials such as plaster and granite, creating a sense of clarity and restraint. Yet beneath their elegance there was often a wonderful wit — a subtle humor that seemed to be part of John himself. His sculptures could be precise and poetic, serious and mischievous all at once.

I will always remember John not only for the extraordinary work he made, but for his generosity, his curiosity, and the way he shared his knowledge. I am grateful for the years of conversations, for the sculptures he entrusted to the gallery, and for the lasting way he changed how I see art in a landscape.

His presence remains here — in the garden, in the works he left behind, and in the way I continue to place and look at sculpture.

Article by Bob Keyes in Maine Today: Walk A Mile Through Sculpture