RADCLIFFE, Graham 1933 – 2022

Graham Radcliffe (1934 — 2022)

I started my working life as a tradesman, a fitter and turner, at fifteen.

I had no aspirations to be an artist until I was well into my forties. I started painting, but quickly moved into sculpture. I am self taught.

I am one of the foundation members of the Sculptors Society of Queensland.

My first works were in sandstone and steel. In fact I started a business and called it Decorative Steel and Stone. DSS, for I had a family to support and educate. But after my sons had graduated from University, I distanced myself from normal civilisation and started to become a sculptor full-time.

In 1987 I went with my new wife to Italy to work in marble. I have been travelling in this direction ever since. I have had a few exhibitions over the years in Australia, Switzerland and Germany.

In travelling this path, I have come to the belief that we are here on earth as a challenge to find our way “home.”

Just as the earliest men tried to express their relationship with their Creator, I too, try to explore this direction.  Each work must become simpler and purer in form, just as we travel to the end of life shedding that which is not required on the journey. Each work must be an offering to God, not man. Each work must be undertaken with love.

Brancusi being a Romanian, believed that on death, the soul changed into bird form and flew to the spirit world. Which is a nice way of putting it.

My work stands in the gardens which I have created and dedicated to world Peace

Born in Brisbane, Queensland 1934.

Trained as Fitter and Turner before living and working in Papua, New Guinea  for five years, where Graham commenced painting in oils.

Won landscape awards Raboul Art Prize 1964-65.

First sculptures in sandstone 1968.

One of the original members of the Society of Sculptors Queensland, also current member of The Sculptors Society of NSW.

Invited to exhibit in Transfield Prize 1971.

Sculpture accepted for Flotto Lauro Prize 1971-72.

Self employed since 1969.

Joint exhibition 1981 at Bowman Gallery Brisbane.

Lived at Cape Tribulation until 1987.

1988 Exhibition „Gallery 460“, Gosford, NSW.

1988 Exhibition Munich.

1998 Work also exhibited in Köln, Stuttgart, Munich and Monaco.

1992. wrote and published his first book „The Cosmic Messenger“, with more than 60 photographs of his works.

1993 Exhibition in Brisbane.

1993 Invited to donate a model to Bozzetti Museum, Pietrasanta, Italy.

1995 Commission to execute sculpture for the Southport School in Bianco Carrara Marble entitled „Transient Spirit“ Ht. 3.2m. This work was completed in Italy.

1997 Pine Rivers Art Award (Aquisitive)“Alpine Reverie“ Ht.50cm.

1998 Commission for Whitehorse City Council to execute a sculpture in Bianco Carrara Marble entitled „Spirit of Whitehorse“, Ht.2.7m. This work was completed in Italy.

2001 Commission for Caboolture Shire Council to execute a sculpture in Bianco Carrara Marble, Ht. 2.1 m including base.

2001 Exhibition in Cadolzburg/Germany

2003 „Atlantis and Beyond“, first major exhibition in artist’s own gallery on Mt. Glorious, Brisbane

Lives and works between Italy and Mt. Glorious,Queensland, where he has established a Sculpture Garden and Gallery.

Represented in Australia, Switzerland, Germany.

www.grahamradcliffe.com