Our News
Robert Foster Wins IES Award of Excellence
7th of December 2011
On the evening of Friday, 18th November 2011 illumni attended the NSW IES Lighting Awards, convened at the gorgeous Four Seasons Hotel on George St, Sydney, Australia.
The balloon bedecked ballroom was a fitting arena in which to recognize and applaud the creme de la creme of the Lighting Industry.
Stephen Coyne National IES President along with Vessi Ivanova NSW Chapter President introduced the evening. Ignatious Jones gave an excellent and impassioned keynote speech. Julia Morris had the hall rocking with raucous laughter and Marty Coffey scared the living daylights out of anyone within three meters of the stage when he juggled his chainsaw. Both Stephen and Vessi were on hand to present the awards and to congratulate the recipients.
Robert Foster's design for his lighting sculpture 'The Journey' 37 Ossalites @ Actweagl, was one of only two to win an Award of Excellence on the night
back to topOssalites win ACT Architecture Award for lighting
21st of July 2011
The Journey represents a generous offering to the public by ACTEWAGL, whose decision to dedicate their ground floor foyer to house a major public artwork has enlivened and animated a prime site in the centre of Canberra. Fully visible from Bunda and Mort Streets, The Ossalite forms have a presence well beyond tier scale and they enrich the street experience while also inviting public engagement. These 37 luminous tusk-lime-objects, which derive their name from the Latin word "osso"meaning bone, are internally illuminated by complex, individual lighting and colour sequences, which are both pre-programmed and triggered by movement. The works are highly dynamic in the variation, speed and intensities of light and colour, and the impression is that the Ossalites are constantly changing, sometimes with subtly and sometimes more dramatically. The Journey is the largest project by internationally acclaimed local artist Robert Foster of F!NK & Co, working in collaboration with Frost Design: it is the product of careful managements by Pamille Berg and integration with the work of Cox Architecture. It involves an innovative and technically demanding use of Plexiglas to form the Ossalites, each of which is unique, and the experimental LED light engines developed by Coolon which use minimal energy. The interactive possibilities for passers-by and the ability for the public to wander through the lights extends its value, allowing all to experience its primeval evocative qualities and the apparent reaction of light and colour to their movement.
Robert Foster gives JAMFACTORY a design challenge workshop
21st of July 2011
Robert Foster was the first, in a series of four leading Australian designers to deliver an intensive workshop at the JamFactory from 2-6 June 2011. Ten selected designers/makers from the furniture and metal design studios were given the opportunity to be mentored by Foster to develop their skills and practice focusing on product design. Foster split the group into teams and provided them with four design concept challenges that focused on designing a product specifically suited to the hospitality industry. Each team chose one of these design challenges and spent their time on researching possible solutions and then resolving their concept and producing prototypes which were then presented on the final night to board members and industry participants. Each team completely immersed themselves into the 5 day challenge and Robert certainly pushed them to new boundaries and introduced them to some new and innovative manufacturing techniques and processes. With a little more work some of the solutions have the potential to become amazing and successful products. Foster also presented a free public artist talk on 7 June at the Art Gallery of South Australia, where he discussed his most recent projects, solo exhibition and new FINK products and plans.
Robert Foster Solo Exhibition of Lighting Installations @ Gallery of Australian Design April 2011
4th of April 2011
This recent collection of lighting works created by Robert Foster (FINK's founder and creative force) captures his fascination with how light is emitted through form and material. Exploring both the boundaries between large scale architectural lighting installation and sculpture; finding new ways to engage and challenge himself and the on-looker. These works are on display @ GAD on Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra until 28 April 2011
New Product Launch @ Metalab 8 December
13th of December 2010
Continuing the Fink tradition of design collaboration, founder Robert Foster has been working with three artist/designers to develop new products, four of which were released at the Metalab exhibition on 8 December 2010.
FINK Shakers are a collaboration with glass artist Jonathan Basket.
The FINK Droplet Hanging Light is designed by Robert Foster
Extending Fink's jewellery range are the Drop Earrings created together with Bronwen Riddiford. 'Propeller' is based on a symmetrical three pointed shape and the element of movement where two pieces spin on the hanging axis and the surface finish differentiates the two.'Flip' is also based on the symmetry of three equal points but the design has been'folded' to resemble petals or a fan. Both simple and elegant, they are light to wear and have an endearing sense of humour previously captured by Bronwen in her Fink 'Wine Chiller' design.
The Fink 'F' Brooch, is designed in collaboration with graphic designer Louise Scrivener, an integral part of the Fink team since 1996..
These new products will be on display at Metalab 10b Fitzroy Place (off Crown street near Bill's Caf©) Surry Hills (call 02 83541398 until 23 December 2010.
The Journey - 37 Ossolites
22nd of November 2010
To celebrate ActewAGL’s 10th anniversary ActewAGL commissioned Canberra-based artist Robert Foster of FINK & Co in collaboration with Frost* Design, to create a sculptural installation for the foyer of its new headquarters in Bunda Street, Canberra. The winning submission was selected from a shortlist of six renowned Australian artists, judged by a diverse panel of experts. The brief, provided by the ActewAGL’s Chairman John Mackay, was simple – I want to have to employ a full time cleaner to have to wipe the nose marks off the window every morning.
The work is titled “The Journey” and is made up of thirty-seven tusk-like forms that emerge literally through the polished concrete floor, transforming into sinuous light-filled shapes named “Ossolites”. The name references the concept of “oscillating” and the Latin word for bone “osso” combined with light. The Ossolites are programmed
to create dramatic and interactive sequences of light, colour and movement throughout the installation. Lighting sequences were art directed by Frost/Foster, Robert did the lighting sequencing programming and the innovative LED lighting and software was developed by Coolon Lighting specifically for the project. People are invited to interact with the forms, changing the colour or state of energy, making them feel connected to the space.
In addition to the Ossolites, FINK and FROST worked closely with Cox Humphries Moss Architects on the interior concepts for the foyer and cafe. Marble seating is designed to look like fallen columns while the angular walls and reception desk counterbalance the organic-looking sculptural forms. FROST and Foster extended the look and feel into the café by recommending furniture, finishes and custom FINK lighting. This holistic approach to the lobby space and integration of the forms into the flooring sparks the question; what came first, the building or sculpture?
New FINK Lights @ Dieci e Mezzo (resturant Canberra - New ACTEWAGL building
1st of November 2010
New FINK lights will be availablein retial outlets in December 2010.
F!NK @ the London Design Festival 16 September - 2 October 2010
28th of October 2010
FINK was recently featured in an exhibition showcasing Australian Design as part of the London Design Festival. Matilda Ltd, founded by Australian Jenni Carbins, selected her ‘13 best Australian design companies’. The exhibition was opened by Australian chef Bill Granger and other companies included Cloth, Dinosaur Designs, Husque, Mark Pascal, Alex Lotersztain, Trent Jensen, Volker Haug, ilias, Korban & Flaubert, Luxxbox and Brian Steendyk. We feel truly fortunate to have been one of the companies representing Australia in such an outstanding international event.
Commission Project for the British High Commission in Canberra
21st of September 2010
Here are some images of the 22 individual hanging lights that Robert Foster designed and made for the British High Commission in Canberra Australia. The brief was to design lights that were easy to maintain and give a fresh contemporary dimension to the public foyer of the commission.
FINK Fostering Design Exhbition at DODEKA in Seoul, Korea
8th of September 2009
The FINK Fostering design exhibition opened on 1 September 2010 at DODEKA, which is an exciting new high end design store located in the heart of Seoul. The Australian Ambassador Mr Sam Gerovich (ably translated by Sunhee Cho) opened the exhibition which was very well attended by design enthusiasts and leading Seoul business people, including such dignitaries as Chairman Tae-joon Park, of POSCO who is considered one of Australia's largest customers for iron ore. The front widow display is an indication of DODEKA’S attention to detail and innovative approach to merchandising. It was a great night with Australian wine and fabulous food. The exhibition runs until 8 of October.
FINK in Wagga Wagga
10th of June 2010
The Fostering Design Exhibition travelled to regional NSW to the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery for the month of April 2010.
FINK @ TOP 3 By Design
9th of June 2009
Robert Foster was guest speaker at TOP 3's Bondi store on the evening of 27 May as part of the launch of their new catalogue and Westfield Home Style Event.
FINK in New Zealand
4th of June 2010
Last month Robert Foster and Gretel Harrison were in New Zealand as keynote speakers at the Hawke's Bay Museum and Art Gallery's design symposium called Balance. They addressed over 120 object makers and designers about the rigours of pursuing a career in design and shared their experiences.
Furniture and lighting designer David Truebridge, English designer Chris Jackson (who now lectures in design at the Massey University in Wellington), and Lucy Hammond (Hawke's Bays curator of design collections) also imparted their knowledge and insights.
The Museum Director Douglas Lloyd Jenkins led a discussion panel that discussed the barriers and issues facing designers today in New Zealand and Australia.
The symposium finished with a half day design challenge, which Robert also helped to judge.
FINK was Featured in the March 2010 Edition of McGrath Magazine
8th of September 2009
See attached a pdf of the March publication that featured FINK as the main article.
FINK features on Cultural Portal Website
12th of April 2010
The Culture Portal has recently featured an Australian Story about F!NK Design can be found on the Culture Portal home page, http://culture.gov.au/, under Australian Stories. The article itself can be found at
http://culture.gov.au/articles/design/finkandco/.
'F!NK design - an Australia design success story' was also featured in our monthly OzCulture newsletter, 'March - Mad about design'. You can the March newsletter at
http://www.culture.gov.au/news/archive_ausculture/201003.htm.
Meghann Jones - Mentorship with Robert Foster January 2009
8th of September 2009
Jeweler Meghann Jones recently completed a 6 month mentorship with Robert. This allowed Megahn to scale up, work with aluminium a material she had not used previuosly and explore Robert's unique water forming process. She produced some stunning work as a result. Meghan is a very talented artist when she sets her mind to the job and we wish her all the best for the future!
FINK Fostering Design Exhibtion @ Object Galleries, Sydney
8th of September 2009
FINK's retropstive exhibtion "Fostering Design" was showcased at Object Gallery in Surry Hills, Sydney as part of Sydney Design Festival. The exhibtion shows all of the products FINK has worked on over the past 16 years both failures and sucesses. The exhibtion also features works by the 7 desinger/artists that have worked with FINK over this time. All of these photos have been taken by Jamie Williams.
Fink raRobert Foster Solo Exhibtion @ Metalab, Surry Hills Sydney (July/August)
8th of September 2009
Robert Foster recently had a solo exhibtion of his one-off artworks. Th exhibtion showed a range of works spanning from the past 24 years - a time line of experimentation. Robert also exhibted some of his newer lighting works and bodywear pieces.
FINK on display in Washington @ Apartment Zero
8th of September 2009
FINK making a splash on the streets on Washington
FINK in New York
8th of September 2009
The FINK range was proudly displayed at the annual New York Gift trade fair from 16- 20 August as part of the DESIGNS ABROAD stand. DESIGNS ABROAD is our distributor in North America, and offers a range of designer homewares designed by Australian companies for the US market. The vibe this buying season was very positive and suggests a much brighter shift in the market with more buyers attending and buying! Lets hope it continues!
Fink range on display @ Make designed objects in Melbourne
6th of August 2009
FINK have made it to Make's front window making an eye-catching display!
On more than one occasion...
