Design and Art Australia Online

Sculptor Graham Chalcroft is best known for his environmental public art in Sydney (NSW). Born in 1968 in London, Chalcroft’s tertiary education included the study of sculpture, graphic design, painting and drawing at the Canterbury College of Technology (1984 to 1985); prop making, exhibition design and visual merchandising at Medway College, Kent Institute (1985 to 1987); and murals, ceramics, mosaics, stained glass and etching at the Chelsea College of Art and Design, London (1987 to 1989). Throughout this time sculpture remained his principal interest. After a period of freelance work, Chalcroft returned to complete a Masters degree in Public Art and Design at Chelsea College from 1995 to 1996.

Upon completing his Masters degree Chalcroft moved to Australia in 1996 and began the process of visiting local governments and cultural development offices. Chalcroft’s education in public art helped to establish his credentials, and secured him his first grant-funded project in Mount Druitt with Garage Graphix. It was here that Chalcroft met graphic designer Stuart Slough with whom he formed the partnership, Placebo Culture.

Placebo Culture sought to integrate Slough’s 2D graphic skills with those of Chalcroft in sculpture and public art. Chalcroft’s personal interest in science and the environment were evident in the Placebo Culture commissions, which included: Wollongong Science Centre forecourt entrance sculpture (May 2000); Hanging Under The Freeway (June to July 2001) – a temporary sculptural transformation of the pedestrian area under the Western Distributor in Ultimo, Sydney; an integrated installation at Liverpool Police Citizens Youth Club (2002); and the public art plan and various works for a Parramatta City Council river foreshore project.

During this time Chalcroft also formed his own studio under the name Vertebrae. This practice, like Placebo Culture, co-addressed art and the environment, typically supported by extensive community consultation. His projects consider sustainability and the ecological context of the sites through permanent site-specific artworks as well as temporary and ephemeral installations, often working within a multidisciplinary team. Works undertaken by Vertebrae include E-waste sculpture (2005), a temporary project for Willoughby City Council; Spiral Ascent (2006), at the RAAF/WAAF Commemorative Sculpture Bradfield Park, Ku-ring-gai; interpretive sculptures for Drive Through Experience (2006 to 2007) at Mount Annan Botanical Gardens; two sculptures for the Bankstown City Council’s Georges River Historic Interpretive Link Project (2008); and the Solar Stills Sculpture Project (2000 to 2003).

Chalcroft also works as an arts and cultural planner for a number of local governments and developers.

His large scale sculpture and lighting design for Life Under The Freeway project for the Western Distributor at Harris and Fig Street intersection (2007-2008) was short-listed by Sydney City Council and his Weight Watchers series was commended in the Marrickville Contemporary Art Prize 2007

Writers:

De Lorenzo, Dr Catherine Note:
Coad, Francesca Note:

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Status:

peer-reviewed