Born in Luton, in 1927, John Plumb studied at the Byam School of Art, the Luton School of Art and the Central School of Art and Design in London, under Victor Pasmore and William Turnbull. Plumb's works reflect his admiration for American Color Field painting and hard-edge painting. From the mid 1950's, Plumb produced paintings with large fields of a single colour, including narrow strips on the edge of different colours. This was intended to optically enhance the emotional impact of the central, major and ususally intense hue.

Has taught at Luton School of Art 1955-61, Maidstone College of Art 1961-6, and Bennington College, Vermont 1968-9. He became Senior Lecturer in Painting at the Central School of Art and Design, London 1969-1982. Represented in the A.I.A. abstract exhibitions 1953 and 1957, in the ‘Situation’ exhibitions 1960 and 1961 and in a group exhibition at Leverkusen 1961. Group exhibitions since this date include British Painting 1974, Hayward Gallery, London; Art 90, Olympia, London 1990 and Art & the 60s: This Was Tomorrow, Tate Britain, 2004. First one-man exhibition at Gallery One 1957. He has since had solo exhibitions at many galleries throughout the UK, including the Arnolfini Gallery in Bristol 1967, London Arts Gallery 1970, Bohun Gallery Henley-on-Thames 1995 and 1997 and The Atkinson Gallery, Somerset 2002. Did murals for the temporary U.I.A. Congress Buildings 1961.

Plumb was represented in the AIA abstract exhibitions in 1953 and 1957, the 'Situation' exhibitions in 1960 and 1961 and in group exhibitions at Leverkusen, the Hayward Gallery, Olympia and Tate Britain. Solo exhibitions include the Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol, London Arts Gallery, Bohun Gallery, Henley-on-Thames and the Atkinson Gallery, Somerset.