John F. Gerrard is a Calgary-based artist and author whose work explores identity, agency, and the tension between sameness and difference. Drawing from lived experience, his paintings and writing examine mental health, perception, and the relationship between inherited structures and personal freedom. His practice is rooted in process, dialogue, and the belief that creativity can lead to deeper self-understanding. Gerrard is the author of two books, has sold over a thousand archival prints, and trained as a mental health peer support worker with the Canadian Mental Health Association. He contributes to peer support initiatives, bringing an artist’s perspective to conversations around recovery and resilience.

In 2019, Gerrard participated in his first international exhibition, SOME PEOPLE (Every)Body, a health-centred group show in Chicago featuring both medical professionals and artists. That same year, he collaborated with neuroscientists on a charity project that paired artists with researchers, culminating in an auctioned work at a gala event.

Over the following years, Gerrard expanded his advocacy on social media while developing his first book, We Make Clocks, Not Time: My Lived Experience with Psychosis, Creativity, and the Ideas That Have Helped Me. In 2022, he also created a visual interpretation of a group dialogue on Indigenous reconciliation, with the resulting artwork sent to the Governor General of Canada.

In 2024, he participated in the TD Incubator series at Arts Commons in Calgary, creating an immersive soundwalk installation based on We Make Clocks, Not Time. He has since released his second book, Reconstruction Quest: A Neurodivergent Journey, which explores his experience of learning to live well with neurodivergence and mental illness. Outside of his practice, Gerrard draws inspiration from philosophy, music, and Star Trek.

In 2026, Gerrard is working on training materials for The Alex Community Centre, as well as new paintings that will be displayed as part of the Riverview Artist Collective.

Artist Statement

Art is my way of understanding both myself and the world around me. I explore this through multiple mediums and disciplines, each offering its own lens for self-expression and discovery. Writing plays a central role in my practice, particularly as a space for mental health advocacy. I share my lived experience, aiming to foster connection and decrease stigma.

My visual work reflects a balance between complexity and harmony, capturing the interplay between order and chaos, parts and the whole. Each piece invites exploration while maintaining an overarching sense of cohesion. I prioritize honesty and authenticity in everything I create. This is especially evident in my paintings, where I often leave traces of the artist’s hand visible—such as squiggles that reflect my own shaky hands—celebrating the humanity behind the work.

Across all disciplines, my aim is to create work that feels honest and accessible, offering a space for both self-reflection and communication.

— JFG

Contact Me

Get in touch for custom orders, new projects, or get on my email list.

john@jfgerrard.com