Functional Art

Combining artistic elements with functional objects helps to make the mundane more aesthetically pleasing. Carol’s designs can be found on street furniture such as benches, gates, signs and bin enclosures. It is also found on household objects such as doorstops, fire pits and breadboards.

Carol has 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 Artform WA. The benches have also been adapted to commemorate individuals, featuring photos, poetry and artworks. 

Clients have also designed memorial benches to celebrate the lives of loved ones - such as the bench pictured below which was commissioned by the community in Murgon, Queensland to commemorate a local resident.

Carol’s ANZAC memorial benches often feature her 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. They can be adding to memorials and commemoration products.

Carol was approached to design two curved benches for Attadale Reserves 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 before being rolled to suit the bench frames.

Gum leaves and gum nuts decorate these Corten driveway gates and support pillars. Any of Carol’s artworks can be selected to adorn these sturdy, head-wearing and attractive gate designs.

Dual bin enclosures throughout the City of Cockburn are decorated with Carol’s native floral artwork. The artworks are laser etched in to the surface of the anodised aluminium panels which form the bin closures, made by Artforms WA. They help to make utilitarian street furniture into attractive art features.

Carol’s laser cut fire pit design can be made to any size using stainless or Corten steel. The fire pits are made to a much higher grade to those which can be purchased in hardware stores, meaning that they are designed to last. Laser cutting the artworks allow the firelight to penetrate to a beautiful effect. Any of Carol’s designs can be adapted to make bespoke fire pits.

Designs featuring Australian flora and fauna have been laser etched into the surface of granite bollards, creating stunning miniature artworks which combine form and function.

Carol’s doorstops are hand-made using recycled wood from old timber posts. Carol cuts and finished the timber prior to laser etching. The doorstops are topped with steel lifting eye-bolts and finished using felt feet.

Breadboards, table tops and coaters featuring Carol’s designs can also be made to order.

 

Carol has designed signage using a wide range of materials. These include granite, stainless steel, aluminium and vitreous enamel. 

Examples of her signage designs can be seen below.