CAST/CONECT
Justin Crofton
About the work
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.
Career & Achievements
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
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Plumbing & electrical knowledge relevant to fitting
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Other work includes fitting & construction of the Bandstand at The De La Warr Pavilion Bexhill-On-Sea
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Contender for the R.I.B.A. awards 2002
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Construction of museum display cabinets, Holbourn Museum, Bath
Head of construction, Salisbury Playhouse, Salisbury 2000-2001
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Management of construction staff for the busy 500 theatre
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Responsibility for all aspects of set building and construction for performance
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Work from Designers brief compiling working drawings & scale models
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Manage set budgets
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
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Responsibility for on-site installation
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Assisted in management ofworkshop
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Advised on choice of materials & construction methods
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Ordering of materials & consumables
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
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
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
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
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)
1991- 1992 Souvenir Ltd. Scene-painting and prop-making
Polystyrene carving for sculptor, Glyne Williams
Design work for Bruford College and Lillian Bayliss Theatre
1988 - 1991 McAndroids Ltd. Camberwell, Exhibition prop-work
Freelance Work
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
1997 - 2001 Moulding/Sculpting/Designing for McAndroids Animatronics
Company, Chippenham
1993 Designed and constructed a selection of office furniture for Talking
Point P.R. Company (for office in Canary Wharf)
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
1984 - 1985 Meridian Fine Art Co.Ltd., worked as Modeller, enlarger, wax moulder,
'Bronze finisher' and welder.