ROBERT DUNLOP WOODCRAFT AUSTRALIA

“Timber is a living creature and we are responsible to breathe the life back into it after it is felled. Everything that we do to it should be to enhance its natural beauty and ensure that it lives again in the hearts of people as well as their homes.”

Robert Dunlop 2003

Robert Dunlop began his career as an apprentice wood craftsman in 1937 at the tender age of 13, guided by Swiss born entrepreneur Charles Kuffer. Working a 6 day week from a small single loft above the historic Fortitude Valley Baths in Wickham Street, Brisbane, Robert earned the humble wage of 80 cents per week to refine his skills, talent and passion for fine crafted wood.

Robert’s fascination for the natural beauty and quality of Australian wood, combined with his innate ability to see the best in a log before cutting, guided him to experiment and diversify his craft. By the early 1980s Robert had established a reputation as a unique craftsman who celebrated Australia’s natural resources, and was much sought after for high profile commercial and Government contracts.

Today, Robert’s designs have flourished along with his ability to interpret the true nature of the wood’s natural flours and contours.

Sometimes traditional, sometimes quirky and romantic, Robert Dunlop’s work is often earthy; especially when it features extravagantly figured slabs. At times his work is delicate and fluid (Rainforest No. 1) and at times economical and refined of form. He is above all a craftsman who enjoys employing all methods to explore his medium rather than to develop his own stylistic vernacular. The attraction of a Robert Dunlop piece is the feeling of craftsmanship with which is is imbued. A Dunlop piece could only be made in wood, unlike the works of some designer/makers whose statements may come through just as clearly in other media.

The influence of his early training was paramount, learning as he did exacting standards of workmanship, commitment (Dunlop says there is a bit of him in everything he makes and besides attaching a brass plaque to each piece he makes, he often inscribes messages on sometimes hidden sections) and, above all, the discipline with which to apply those skills. Every one of original Robert Dunlop pieces is not only branded with his name and knowledge, but also bears the raw history of rural Australia and our nation’s heritage through the story of its grain.

At the age of 82 Robert Dunlop still works wood for a living and, more importantly, does so for pleasure and that’s why he says he’s a lucky man.

“Working with wood never ceases to be an adventure as every new log unfolds the beauty of a tree which is truly unique. The grain pattern in every plank, as it is sawn, reveals another page of the tree’s adventure and growth.”

Commissions: Chair “Rocking in Free Form” acquired by Queensland Art Gallery Queensland Rainforest Wood samples for New Orleans Expo 1984 Craft Council of Australia expos 1984, 1985, 1986 & 1987 “Speakers Chair” for the “Isle of Man” Parliament 1978 “Rising Christ” carving for St. Peter Chanel Church 1980 Perpetual Trophy for R.N.A. Woodchop Championship 1981 Furniture for The High Court of Australia Canberra Furniture for Restoration of Parliament House Queensland 1981 Exhibited in Australian Trade Fair Honolulu USA, Dubai UAE, Chicago USA, Denmark and England. Queensland Woodcraftsman’s Guild – Ten exhibitions “Holy See” for Vatican Exhibit – Expo Brisbane 1988 “Kings Table” for Kings Hall New Parliament House Canberra 1988 Furniture to New Parliament House Honiara Solomon Islands Built skid “Vickers Vimy 1916 Bomber” 75th Anniversary Flight from England. Church commissions: Mt Olivet Chapel Brisbane Centenary Uniting Church Jindalee Brisbane Little Kings Movement Chapel Brisbane St Aiden’s Church Brisbane St. John’s Cathedral Brisbane St. Marks Church of England Ashgrove Brisbane Trinity College Brisbane Uniting Church Bellconen Canberra Uniting Church Chermside Brisbane Uniting Church Everton Park Brisbane Uniting Church Sandgate Queensland Uniting Church Sherwood Brisbane 48 exclusive units – Quay Apartments Sydney 500 Louis XV Lounge Chairs Sheraton Brisbane Presentation Cedar Caskets for Society Corporate Treasurers

Awards: Robert Dunlop was presented with an Order of Australia on the Queen’s Birthday 1992 Bank of New South Wales/Brisbane City Council Sculpture Award 1980 Nerang Art Festival Sculpture Award 1982 and 1983

Publications: Robert Dunlop’s work has been featured in hundred’s of newspaper articles and features over the years, as well as many Australian magazine including Artichoke, Australian Wood Review, Home Journal, R.M. Williams Outback Magazine and Contemporary Home Design.

Born in Grange, Brisbane 1925 Educated at Windsor State School, Brisbane Left school aged 13 Employed by Tom Wallace Cycles. An active member of Hamilton Wheelers. Became an apprentice to Cabinet maker Charles Kuffer, Valley, Brisbane. Charles Kuffer, was a highly qualified cabinet maker, having worked on furniture for the French Ocean Liner “Normandy”. Robert acquired skills from Charles Kuffer that stayed with him all his working life. Robert’s apprenticeship was interrupted by army service – 3 ½ years in Rabaul, New Britain. In the army he reached the rank of Sergeant. After the war, he finished his apprenticeship with Charles Kuffer. At the age of 83, Robert is still working in his trade. He formed his own business in 1957. He has trained 25 apprentices. Nowadays he allows work experience students from local schools to come to the factory to learn aspects of the trade. For many years, sponsored by local Authorities and Government finance, he has conducted schools throughout the country centres of Queensland. He is anxious to give local country children an interest in the trade. He tries very hard to promote and use local timers. Timers, which he claims cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Robert, a member of Rotary, currently serving his 47th year with 100% attendance. Served as President of Meals on Wheels for 20 years. A member of the Boy Scout Association, serving as a leader for 37 years. Robert was awarded the King Scout Award. Serves as an elder at Ann Street Presbyterian Church. With his contribution to the community and the trade, he earned the O.A.M. A proud achievement was the acquisition of ta personally designed and created rocking chair, by the Queensland Art Gallery. Robert’s furniture can ben seen throughout the world. Notably, the Speaker’s Chair in the Isle of Man Parliament. Various pieces of furniture in the High Court and Parliament House in Canberra. Working with Dan Zam (now deceased) the world authority on Bart Art pictures, Robert has developed furniture, featuring Art in Bark. Robert claims the largest piece of furniture he has made is a table for Parliament House – the Kings Table – which is 9.8 metres long and the smallest piece is a pine goblet which stands 3 mm tall. Robert has always supported “Australian Made” products. He is deeply concerned with the imported furniture which is robbing youth of Australia, the opportunity of becoming fully employed cabinet makers.

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