It is with great sadness that the ANU School of Art farewells Robert Foster, artist, designer, friend, mentor and loved one. Rob passed away on Wednesday July 13th after a tragic car accident. The School extends its heartfelt condolences to Gretel, and their daughters Ineska and Mischa.

Rob Foster, an alumnus of the ANU School of Art is best known as the creator and principle designer of F!NK + Co. Together with Gretel Harrison, his partner and Co-Director, F!NK is synonymous for the best of Australian design.

Rob Foster had the natural inquisition of an engineer combined with the creativity of a sophisticated designer. His diverse understanding of process, his knowledge of materials and his constant need to challenge visual language have made him one of the most notable contemporary designer makers. Everyone who knows design recognises a F!NK Jug.

Foster trained in traditional silversmithing at the Australian National University School of Art graduating with a BA (Visual) 1985 and a Graduate Diploma of Art (Visual) 1986. He successfully worked as a designer and maker of unique functional objects for the past 30 years. Foster’s rigorous inquiry and innovative practice is commercialised through his business F!NK + Co. His artistic practice served as a laboratory in which he identified questions and evaluated solutions. His method is deeply rooted in craft traditions that provided him with a highly developed sense of aesthetics and technical proficiency, and his capacity to commercialise design solutions marked him as a unique innovator. The F!NK Water Jug remains a landmark achievement in the Australian design industry. Together with Harrison, their energy and commitment to the business and products has resulted in F!NK design gaining an esteemed international reputation.

Foster’s works in hollowware, sculptural lighting and furniture, are held in collections by all of the major institutions in Australia including the Australian National Gallery and the Australian Parliament House Art Collection. He has had significant exposure overseas and has pieces in notable collections such as the Victorian Albert Museum in London and the Museum fur Kunst and Gewerbe in Germany.

F!NK has employed and provided work experience/internships to over 25 students and graduates over the past 21 years. Six ANU graduates have designed products for the F!NK range, furthering their careers and contributing to the distinctive range of F!NK.

Rob Foster will be greatly missed by everyone at the ANU School of Art and within the Canberra arts community.