Robert Edward Klippel

Place: Potts Point

Born: 1920

Death: 2001

Biography:

Robert Klippel AO (19 June 1920 – 19 June 2001) was an Australian constructivist sculptor and teacher. He is often described in contemporary art literature as Australia's greatest sculptor. Throughout his career he produced some 1,300 pieces of sculpture and approximately 5,000 drawings. Klippel was born in Potts Point, Sydney on 19 June 1920. At the age of six, he made his first model ship after being taken on a ferry ride on Sydney Harbour. Model making became a passion. He was educated at Sydney Grammar School. He trained to work in the wool industry but in 1939 he decided to become an artist. Klippel served in the Australian Army during World War II. After the war, he moved to London, where he studied at the Slade School of Fine Art. In 1951, he returned to Sydney and began teaching at the National Art School. He continued to teach and make art until his death in 2001.