Functional Art
Art in the community. By combining artistic elements with functional objects my work helps to make the mundane, everyday objects we see in our local environment more aesthetically pleasing.
My functional art designs can be found on street furniture such as benches, gates, signs and bin enclosures. I also create household objects such as doorstops, fire pits, gates and breadboards.
I have worked with RSL clubs and schools to design many ANZAC memorial benches. These benches feature laser cut artwork or laser etched bank panel designs on strong stainless steel frames made by Artforms WA.
The benches have also been adapted to commemorate individuals, featuring photos, poetry and artworks.
Clients have worked closely with me to design memorial benches to celebrate the lives of loved ones. One such example is pictured below. This commemorative bench was commissioned by the community in Murgon, Queensland in remembrance of a local resident.
My ANZAC memorial benches often feature my vitreous enamel poppies.
The poppies are made by fusing powdered glass to steel. The resulting poppy discs are vivid and extremely long-lasting in the outdoor environment.
The poppies can be added to many types of memorials and commemoration products.
In 2023 I was approached to design two curved benches for Attadale Reserve on the banks of the Swan River.
The benches were to feature local birdlife which had flourished since the rehabilitation works in the area. The artwork for one bench depicts Rainbow Bee Eaters, the other Australian Shelducks.
The artworks were laser etched onto the anodised aluminium rear bench panels. The panels were then rolled to suit the handmade stainless steel bench frames.
Gum leaves and gum nuts decorate these Corten driveway gates and support pillars.
Any of my artwork vector images can be selected to adorn my sturdy, hard-wearing and attractive gate designs.
My native floral artwork can be found decorating dual bin enclosures throughout the City of Cockburn.
The artworks are laser etched into the surface of the anodised aluminium panels which form the bin closures. The enclosures are made by Artforms WA.
The addition of artworks helps to make utilitarian street furniture into attractive art features.
My laser cut fire pit design can be made to any size using stainless or Corten steel.
The fire pits are handmade in Western Australia, to a much higher grade to those which can be purchased in hardware stores. This quality means that they are designed to last.
Laser cutting the artworks allow the firelight to penetrate to a beautiful effect.
Any of my design vectors can be adapted to make your own, bespoke fire pit.
My granite bollard design can be used in residential or commercial settings.
This bollard features West Australian flora. The artwork has been laser etched into the surface of pure black granite.
The bollards create stunning miniature artworks which combine form and function. They can be made in a wide range of sizes.
My doorstops are hand-made from wood recycled from old timber posts.
I cut and finish the timber prior to laser etching the design into the surface.
The doorstops are topped with steel lifting eye-bolts and finished using felt feet.
My vectorised artworks can be used to decorate a wide range of household items, including breadboards, table-tops and coasters.
I can work with you using my artwork elements to create designs to order.
Signage
I have designed signage using a wide range of materials. These include granite, stainless steel, aluminium, bronze and vitreous enamel.
Examples of my signage designs can be seen below.
These laser-cut stainless steel signs can be found on around Bibra Lake.
The local bird life illustrations are positioned on the walkway to a bird-watching hide.
Each bird image of was approved by ornithologists at the Bibra Lake Wetlands Centre.
This bronze plaque was designed with Perth Zoo in commemoration of Tricia the elephant.
Tricia lived to 65 years of age and was an icon at Perth Zoo.
The plaque depicts one of Tricia’s footprints. It is mounted on a rock above Tricia’s final resting place.
Working closely with the school, this sign was designed and installed at the entrance to the Administration block.
The sign is made from laser cut aluminium which is backed with contrasting colours to highlight the gum-leaves and text.