Robert Juniper facts for kids

Robert Litchfield Juniper (born January 7, 1929, died December 20, 2012) was a famous Australian artist. He was known for many things, including painting, teaching art, drawing pictures for books, making prints, and creating sculptures. He was even given a special award called the Order of Australia for his amazing work.

Robert Juniper's Early Life

Robert Juniper was born in a town called Merredin, Western Australia. This town is in the wheat-belt area of Western Australia. He went to the Beckenham School of Art in England. There, he studied commercial art and industrial design.

After his studies, he came back to Western Australia. He started painting, teaching, and showing his art in Perth. A local art exhibitor named Rose Skinner was a big supporter of his work. Robert Juniper lived in Darlington for a long time. He was also involved in the Darlington Arts Festival at different times.

Juniper as an Art Teacher

Robert Juniper taught art at several schools. In the 1950s, he taught at Perth College and Hale School. Later, in the 1960s, he taught at Guildford Grammar School.

During the 1960s, he went on trips into the Australian outback. These trips were with a person named Ian Parkes. The beautiful landscapes and unique feel of the outback inspired a lot of his art. This inspiration helped shape his abstract style of painting.

Famous Artworks and Collections

In 1992, Robert Juniper designed the special coat of arms. This design was for the Commonwealth Law Courts in Perth. His artworks are now kept in many important collections.

You can find his art in places like the Art Gallery of Western Australia. His work is also at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Other places include the National Gallery of Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria. The Queensland Art Gallery and Parliament House, Canberra also have his pieces.

Art Exhibitions

Robert Juniper had many art shows. He had solo exhibitions, which means only his art was shown. He also took part in group exhibitions with other artists. These shows happened all over Australia and in other countries.

A very important show was a major retrospective in 1999. This means it was a big show looking back at all his art over the years. It was held at the Art Gallery of Western Australia in Perth. For many years, the Gomboc Gallery represented his work.

Robert Juniper kept painting regularly until he was 83 years old. He was a very productive artist. He also inspired and guided many other Australian artists.

Later Art Projects

One of Robert Juniper's later projects was a special window. He was asked to work on a feature window for the restored Bunbury Catholic Cathedral. He finished this beautiful work in 2011.

Robert Juniper's Awards

Robert Juniper received many awards for his art:

• 1954, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1962: Perth Prize for Contemporary Art
• 1966: T. E. Wardle Invitation Prize
• 1975: Wynne Prize
• 1979: Wynne Prize
• 1984: Honorary Doctorate from the University of Western Australia, Perth
• 1988: Kingfisher Prize, New South Wales
• 1998: State Living Treasures Award from the Ministry for Culture and the Arts, Western Australia
• 2003: Centenary Medal of Federation for his service to Australian landscape painting and contemporary art
• 2004: Medal for services to art from The Painters and Sculptors Association of Australia
• 2011: Appointed Member of the Order of Australia for his service to the visual arts. This was especially for his work as an Australian landscape painter and contemporary artist.

Personal Life

Robert Juniper was married three times. He had four children with his first wife, Robin-Ann. Their names are Sato, Ben, Sam, and Bec. All his children live and work in Western Australia. He also had 11 grandchildren and step-grandchildren. He had three great-grandchildren too. His second wife was Amanda, and his third wife was Patricia.

Books with Robert Juniper's Art

Robert Juniper also illustrated some books:

• Todd, Trevor (1977) Mason Judy, with pictures by Robert Juniper.
• (1982) Asphodel with pictures by Robert Juniper, and text by Lilla Cole.