Kevin Sinnott 1947-2026

Throughout years of working in the art world and brushing shoulders with various artists, Kevin stood out for his complete lack of pretension and humility. He was consistently positive, generous, and deeply supportive of our Welsh Sale auctions. His philanthropy was equally remarkable, frequently donating exceptional pieces to our charity events, especially City Hospice, an organisation which I know was close to his heart.

Over the years, I was fortunate to get to know him well and share the widespread affection everyone had for him. His vibrant, satirical, and often monumental paintings breathed life into the market. Instantly recognisable, his work remains a standout fixture of our auctions, routinely sparking fierce bidding battles.

A career highlight was handling Running Away With the Hairdresser (Version II) from a southern English client—a piece carrying immense prestige, given that Version I is arguably the most iconic modern Welsh painting on display at the National Museum of Wales. The painting appropriately realised the highest auction price for a living artist in Wales for over twenty years. 

Kevin’s frequent visits to our auction rooms and our conversations will be deeply missed. His passing is a profound loss to Welsh art. Rest in peace, Kevin.

Below is a reminder of Kevin’s immense talent, his dynamic exciting paintings, loved by so many, will form a lasting legacy.