Linda Klarfeld

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Linda Klarfeld
LQ Linda Klarfeld sculpting a minibust.jpg
Linda Klarfeld at the Australian Ballet Garden Party 2011
Born19 July 1976
Prague, Czech Republic
NationalityAustralian
CitizenshipAustralian and Czech (dual)
OccupationSculptor
Years active1994 – present
Websitewww.lindaklarfeld.com

Linda Klarfeld (born 19 July 1976) is an Australian sculptor whose bronze and granite works of art focus on the human figure. Her work ranges from small miniature portrait busts to three meter high, larger than life size pieces. She has sold her work both privately and through public auction.

Early life[]

Born in Prague, Czech Republic, Klarfeld's family immigrated to Australia in 1980. Her father was a drummer with various rock bands including Framus Five and The Cardinals, and Klarfeld credits his influence on her developing creativity.[1]

Her family settled in Sydney, where she attended Bonnyrigg Public School and Chatswood High School. Her parents encouraged her to pursue her creativity, so after leaving high school she began a seven-year-long sculpture apprenticeship that introduced her to different sculptors from around the world. She studied under sculptors Ctibor Havelka and Vaclav Skalicky and sculpture technician Vanessa Hoheb. She studied at the Střední průmyslová škola kamenická a sochařská v Hořicích, an international Stone Sculptors School in Horice, Czech Republic.[2]

Career[]

1988 – 1995 (Teenage Years)

At the age of 14 Klarfeld sold her first sculpture and shortly after announced to her family her intention of becoming a sculptor. She won several prizes for her work during her teenage years. Portrait busts she created of her father were exhibited in ArtExpress 1994.[3] She won major prizes for Senior Sculpture at the Mosman Youth Art Prize for her sculptures ‘King Lear’, ‘Adolescent’ and ‘The Joyful Season’.

1996 – 2005 (Twenties)

Klarfeld was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Macquarie University. She said that studying psychology, especially human behaviour, enriched her art.[4] “I learned to observe people more closely” she said. “I was inspired to create the Macquarie University Graduates while watching the procession at my own graduation ceremony.”

During this time, a number of significant events occurred in Klarfeld's life. One such event was she met Joan Abela, who became a patron of her work and provided the impetus for Klarfeld's career. Ms Abela commissioned a series of sculptures for her private castle-themed residence, ”Jeandare”.[5]

At the age of 21, Klarfeld's first solo exhibition was opened by Australian Adventurer Dick Smith.

At 22, Klarfeld received her first major religious commission to create “Gethsemane and The Way of the Cross 2000”.[6] This was followed by numerous public commissions including a life-size bronze sculpture of Rugby League Footballer Peter Gallagher and 'Expressions of Love', a 16 statue centerpiece for the Hunter Valley Gardens.

2006 – 2015 (Thirties)

Klarfeld created several sculptures of well-known Australians, including Dr Victor Chang, Cricketers Keith Miller and Bill Woodfull, AFL Footballer Neil Roberts and former Mayor of Mosman, Cr Dom Lopez OAM. In her private work she began focusing on the world of business and created the “Board of Directors Series”, a collection of semi-abstract sculptures depicting the archetypes of the business world. This was followed by an exhibition recognizing 11 leading Australian business identities in a collection of realistic portrait busts called “Icons of Business”. During her thirties, Klarfeld has established a reputation amongst religious institutions for her sculptures focusing on emotional and dramatic religious themes. Her well-known religious pieces include St Marcellin Champagnat 2012 and St Mary Mackillop 2011.

Table Of Works[]

Table Of Works
Year Religious Children Portrait Busts Sport Other
1998 - 1995 Golem Joyful Season [7] Daddy's Little Girl [3] Stating his case King Lear
Teens Adolescent Mr Kassouf Dusk [8] Lunatics
Little Bather Count Josef von Abraham Sonnenfeld Aussie Baroque Nymph
Aussie Baroque Bacchus
1996 - 2005 Jesus dies on the cross [9] Wyatt [10] William Roche Golfers [11] Gandalf Fountain [12]
Twenties Gethsemane and the way of the cross[6] Expressions of Love[13] Mr Kassouf [14] Pedro [15] DH Lawrence [16]
Victory Christ [17] Interruption Dick Smith AO Sophie [18] Riders [19]
Happiness, McGreggor Boys Ballet Series Maquarie University Graduates[20]
Love, Jacquelin Branching Out Battleship Figurehead
Tanya, Simpson Boys Tinkerbell
2006 - 2015 Mater Dei [21] Dom Lopez OAM [22] Neil Roberts Dr Victor Chang[23]
Thirties Blessed Mary Mackillop[24] Lord Alistair McAlpine [25] Bill Woodfull Board of Directors Series [26]
Marcellin Champagnat Icons of Business [27] Keith Miller Manly Graduate [28]
Stations of the Cross Wallace Family Statuette Tax Man
Angel of Communication Audrey & Norman Lady Boss [29]
Risen School Boys
St Jude Mrs Jen
Stations of the Cross
Jeanne Marie Chavoin
St Catherine of Sienna
Aposlte St John
Mother and Child

References[]

  1. ^ Chroma, Vera, “Zastavka na ceste za poznavanim umeleckych del”, Noviny Jicinska 1995
  2. ^ “Rare talent expressed in bronze” The Daily Telegraph, 1994
  3. ^ a b Art Express Catalogue, published by Board of Studies NSW 1994, pg48, ISSN 1039-415X
  4. ^ Macquarie University, [1] “The Macquarie Globe” 8 November 2006
  5. ^ McGillick, Paul, “Quest For Sanctuary”, Indesign, vol.22, pg.179-185.
  6. ^ a b Hook, Chris, "Finding Faith Through Fresh Eyes", The Catholic Weekly, 2000
  7. ^ Hicks, Sue "Youth Art Hits A High", Mosman Daily, 1996
  8. ^ "An exhibition of Klarfeld Bronzes", Antiques & Art in Victoria, 2002
  9. ^ Hicks, Sue, "Major Commission For Sculptor" Mosman Daily, 1999
  10. ^ Shelley, Maureen, "Shape of Things to Come", The Daily Telegraph, 2005
  11. ^ In Style, "Teeing off" North Shore Times, 2001 pg.26
  12. ^ Hicks, Sue "Sculptor Set for First Solo Exhibition", Mosman Daily, 2001
  13. ^ Shelley, Maureen, "Rare tallent expressed in bronze", The Daily Telegraph, 2004, pg.73
  14. ^ "Portfolio no.200: Linda Klarfeld", Craft Arts International, pg.79
  15. ^ Rogers, Jenny "Tears as a bronze hero is unveiled", The Gold Coast Bulletin, 2004, pg.14
  16. ^ Powis, Mary, "Carving History in Stone", North Shore Times, 1998
  17. ^ Powis, Mary, "Cover Story: A woman of Inspiration", North Shore Times, 2004
  18. ^ "My Home Is My Castle", Better Homes and Gardens, August 2005, pg.50
  19. ^ Pearlman, Johnathan, "Spotlight: Sculpture", Sydney Morning Herald, 2002
  20. ^ Sculptor Linda Klarfeld an irresistible vocation" Sirius Magazine, Winter 2004, pg.9
  21. ^ Priest, Evan, "School takes pride in statue.", McArthur Chronicle, Camden edition, 2012, pg.37
  22. ^ Crawford, Kate, "Lopez bust gets thumbs up from family", Mosman Daily, 2012, pg.7
  23. ^ McNicoll, D.D, “Danish Unveiling”, The Australian, 2008
  24. ^ Marchant, Sharyn, "Hang on I have a relic of Mary…", Catholic Weekly, 2008, pg.11
  25. ^ Cordingley, Glenn, “Magical Piece of Paradise”, Broome Advertiser, 2013
  26. ^ Saint-Martin, Marina "Enter The Age Of Bronze", Paradise: The Weekend Bulletin Magazine, pg.11
  27. ^ Douglas, Tim "Sculptor turns her hand to Shock Jock's Head”, The Australian, 2011
  28. ^ Bennett, Rod, "Forever the graduate", Manly Daily, 2007
  29. ^ Adamski, Kat, "Sweeping floors to Lady boss", Cover Story, North Shore Times, 2009
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