John Harris

John Harris (b. 1948)
Sinclair Triptych
acrylic on canvas
71¹⁄₈ x 60 in. (180.5 x 152);
71¹⁄₂ x 69in. (182 x 152cm.);
72 x 60in. (183.3 x 152cm.)
executed circa 1980s

Monumental triptych commissioned by tech visionary Sir Clive Sinclair.

Sir Clive Sinclair was a pioneering British entrepreneur and inventor, celebrated for his contributions to the early personal computing industry. He founded Sinclair Research Ltd., which became known for innovative products like the ZX80 and ZX81 computers, significantly advancing the accessibility of home computing in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The company’s headquarters, located in Cambridge, England, served as a hub for innovation and development, where Sinclair and his team pushed the boundaries of technology with compact and affordable computing solutions.

These monumental canvases, commissioned by Sinclair, were intended for the innovator's personal collection. Indeed, Harris and Sinclair had a longstanding partnership rooted in their shared passion or technology and innovation. Harris's visionary artwork often complemented Sinclair's futuristic concepts, particularly in the realm of computer graphics and design. Together, they played a role in shaping the early landscape of personal computing and science fiction imagery, leaving a lasting impact on both fields.