John West Giles was a sporting painter and a lithographer. His prints include sporting, animal and decorative subjects, topographical views and military costumes and were made after his owns works or those of contemporary artists. He is thought to be the brother of painter James William Giles, as both artists were living at the same address in Aberdeen in 1830, when they sent works for exhibition at the Royal Academy. John also exhibited five works at the British Institution in London. He appears to have left Aberdeen by 1838 and, despite a brief return to Aberdeen in 1844, exhibited from London addresses from that time on.
