I first met Ian Grigg in 1968, we were both working in a crazy Art/Design studio that was part of the PMG (Postmaster General's Dept.) Central office, Spring Street, Melbourne.

It wasn't a workplace where one expected to meet disparate creative people, but the talented, wacky, experimental, skillful bunch soon influenced me because they showed their work in galleries around town, and I wanted to emulate them.

Ian and I then lived together for a short time in London in the early 70s. We trawled galleries for inspiration and tried (without luck) to show our work in the UK.

Since those early days, we have remained great friends and shared many moments arguing and responding to art. We have exhibited in solo and group shows, but this is the first exhibition we have had together. I work as a painter/sculptor but in this exhibition I am showing only sculptures. I welcome this opportunity and am proud to show my work alongside Ian’s.

I work with the found.

I believe that art can be made of any material as long as the art has integrity - an object can suggest the form and motif of the piece. My inspiration comes from discarded flotsam, which I repurpose into artwork. I use my imagination to transform and construct either carved wood or assembled pieces into a pertinent whole. Aesthetics are a consideration, as is colour and engineering. A kind of complicated simplicity.

I like to employ humour in my work, and some can be political, but above all, I hope to engage the viewer with how I manifest an idea in the objects. It's always a challenge.

Influences are many, and for the signpost direction this work takes, I thank Picasso, the Dadaists, especially Duchamp and Indigenous artists from Australia, Oceania and Africa. We all need mentors, and one can't go wrong studying the works of these great artists.

I feel I am just "scratching the surface "

I hope you enjoy it for what it is.