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About the work

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The work is a combination of wood in both finished and weathered form. He appreciates the contrast and transformation of one timber. The use of dry jointing links the timber with interlocking cleats or copper band. The added use of copper and cast SG iron is for reinforcement or support. Other materials such as cast iron,copper and steel add a structural harmony,complementing the waste cut seasoned oak. His objective is to combine metals and woods, using both as pliable materials. He creates furniture that is sculptural with a functional element.  

Justin Crofton

 

- Studied sculpture at both Ravensbourne and Camberwell School of Art in London.

- Post Graduate course in Theatre design at The National Theatre studios.

- Assisting artists such as Antony Gormley and Theatre designers such as Tom Cairns and Carl Toms.

- First studio based in Brixton London,combined with prop making and set building/design for TV   and West End       shows.

- Second studio based in Bath established as a designer maker of sculptural furniture where he became a recipient of South West Arts Award and a member of the Designers Guild 

- various commissions undertaken for Lord Bath and also for the NatWest Bank offices. 

- Two pieces were purchased for permanent display at the Bristol Museum contemporary exhibition. 

- Work has been on show at events such as Chelsea Crafts Fair and 100% Design Exhibition.

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Career & Achievements

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Maker & fitter of bespoke furniture/kitchens & general joinery at Westside Design Workshops 2001-2006

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  • Construct & fit furniture/kitchens to high specifications to suit architects needs

  • Plumbing & electrical knowledge relevant to fitting 

  • Other work includes fitting & construction of the Bandstand at The De La Warr Pavilion Bexhill-On-Sea

  • Contender for the R.I.B.A. awards 2002

  • Construction of museum display cabinets, Holbourn Museum, Bath

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Head of construction, Salisbury Playhouse, Salisbury 2000-2001

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  • Management of construction staff for the busy 500 theatre

  • Responsibility for all aspects of set building and construction for performance 

  • Work from Designers brief compiling working drawings & scale models 

  • Manage set budgets

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Designer maker of interactive displays for museums McAndroids Ltd. 1997-2000

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  • Planned, designed & organised job from initial concept through to completion

  • Responsibility for on-site installation

  • Assisted in management ofworkshop

  • Advised on choice of materials & construction methods 

  • Ordering of materials & consumables

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Obtained Workshop, Self Employed as Furniture/Sculpture Designer 

 

 

Commissions include

 

1994 - 1999                         Tumble Coffee Table x 2 

Standard Light

Leg O' Draws, Cupboard x 6

Dining table, Twelve Chairs

Pile O ' Boxs, Cupboard

Convulsion, Cupboard

Serpine Lamp/Cheval Mirror/Compression Cupboard

Box light, Loop chair, Hologram frame Lord Bath,Steel, ash Cabinet CD, Stereo Cabinet 

 

Exhibitions

 

1994                                   Cardiff Contemporary Design Fair

Window Arts Fair Exhibition, Bath

Bristol Contemporary Designers, Park Street, Bristol

 

1995                                   Window Arts Fair Exhibition, Bath

Contemporary Art and Design Show, Media Centre, Bristol

Happening Gallery Furniture Exhibition, Bristol

Fisherton Mill Emporium, Metalwalk Exhibition, Salisbury

Collusion Group Exhibition, Bath Festival

Happening Gallery, Bristol Contemporary Designers summer & Christmas exhibition

Craft Movement, Richmond, London

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1996                                   Crafts in Avon, Bristol Museum Exhibition

Collusion Group Exhibition, Bath

Exhibition Fruits of the Earth, Beatrice Royal Gallery

Exhibition 'Containers' Brewery Arts

Craft Movement, Richmond, London, Westminster, London

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1997                                   Avon Guild of Craftsmen, Nath Holborn Museum

Beatrice Royal Gallery, Summer Exhibition

Beatrice Royal Gallery Craft Exhibition

Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracey 'Wow' Exhibition

Chelsea Crafts Fair, London

Brewery Art Cirencester, Fires and Feasting Exhibition

Derek Topp Gallery, Derbyshire, Christmas Exhibition

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1998                                   Tremayne Applied Arts, St Ives, Cornwall

Beatrice Royal Gallery Summer Exhibition

Ruskin Gallery, Sheffield Crafts Exhibition 

Society of Designer Craftsmen, Mali Gallery, London

Winter Exhibition of Furniture 98/99

 

1999                                   Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford, Mixed Exhibition

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Theatre and Prop-Work Experience

 

 

1992 - 1994                         Souvenir Ltd.

Sub-contract work for Royal Opera House, Barbican Theatre, Opera

North, National Theatre, Bush Theatre, Exhibition work for the N.E.C. and Earls Court

Design work for Tabard Theatre, Chiswick ('Henry V'and 'King Lear', directed by Kate Bone)

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1991- 1992                          Souvenir Ltd. Scene-painting and prop-making

Polystyrene carving for sculptor, Glyne Williams

Design work for Bruford College and Lillian Bayliss Theatre

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1988 - 1991                         McAndroids Ltd. Camberwell, Exhibition prop-work

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Freelance Work

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1998                                   Sculpting/pattern making for Fountain sculptures, Millennium Project,

Sheffield City Council

Co-designer Tracey Hager 'Secret Garden', a public art commission for Dunally School, Cheltenham

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1997 - 2001                         Moulding/Sculpting/Designing for McAndroids Animatronics 

Company, Chippenham

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1993                                   Designed and constructed a selection of office furniture for Talking

Point P.R. Company (for office in Canary Wharf)

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1987 - 1991                         Interior design work: R. Wardale and Partners.

Design and construction of interiors and exteriors of private homes.Co-design and construction of the 'Anthony Reynolds Gallery', Bond Street, London.

Assisting to sculptor Antony Gormley on private commissions

Other work includes: waste moulding, rubber moulding and casting of various artists' work in a variety of materials.

Sub-contract work with Andy Knight Ltd. and Harry Metcalf Ltd., work includes : set building, scene painting, paint finishes for commercials and photo shoots

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1984 - 1985                        Meridian Fine Art Co.Ltd., worked as Modeller, enlarger, wax moulder, 

'Bronze finisher' and welder.

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