Robert Juniper

Robert Juniper studied at Hale School. The recorded working language is English. The field of work recorded is painting. Work by Robert Juniper is recorded in the collections of National Gallery of Victoria, National Gallery of Australia and Art Gallery of New South Wales. Distinctions recorded are Centenary Medal, Member of the Order of Australia and Wynne Prize.

• Name — Robert Juniper • Birth Name — Robert Litchfield Juniper • Born — 7 January 1929 • Birthplace — Merredin, Western Australia, Australia • Died — 20 December 2012 • Place of death — Darlington, Western Australia, Australia • Spouse — Robin-Ann (née Brennan; divorced) Amanda (née Silburn; divorced) Patricia "Trisha" (née Lowe; his death) • Known for — Painting, printmaking and sculpting • Awards — See awards

Juniper was born in the wheat-belt town of Merredin, Western Australia. He studied commercial art and industrial design at Beckenham School of Art, England. After returning to Western Australia he painted, taught and exhibited in Perth. He was particularly championed by Rose Skinner, a local exhibitor. He was a long-term resident of Darlington and at different stages in its history involved with the Darlington Arts Festival.

Juniper was given many solo and group exhibitions throughout Australia and overseas, including a major retrospective in 1999 at the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth. He was represented for many years by Gomboc Gallery. Right up until shortly before his death at the age of 83, he continued to paint regularly, with increasing 'hands-on' assistance from his wife and remained both a highly productive artist and an inspiration and mentor to many other Australian artists.

Juniper was commissioned to work on a feature window in the restored Bunbury Catholic Cathedral. This work was completed in 2011.

In 2002, Juniper suffered a stroke that robbed him of the use of his left hand. He became ill in October 2011 when fluid gathered on his lung. Juniper died at his Darlington home on 20 December 2012 at the age of 83.

Juniper was married three times and had four children, all by his first wife, Robin-Ann (née Brennan): Sato (previously Linda); Ben (Benedict); Sam (previously Damian) and Bec (Rebecca). They all live and work as professionals in various fields in Western Australia. He had 11 grandchildren and step-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His second wife is Amanda (née Silburn) and his third wife is Patricia (née Lowe).

• Todd, Trevor (1977) Mason Judy, illustrated by Robert Juniper. Sydney: Methuen of Australia • (1982) Asphodel [illustrated by] Robert Juniper, [text by] Lilla Cole. Fremantle, W.A.: Fremantle Arts Centre Press (pbk.)