Curriculum Vitae

 b. 1958, Narrogin, Australia

Australian artist, sculptor and furniture maker
Western Australia

Neil Turner is a Western Australian artist with a professional practice spanning sculpture, contemporary wood art, furniture and public art. He has exhibited nationally and internationally since 1991, with work held in significant public and private collections in Australia and the United States.

Public Art

2026
Collective Heart, METRONET Midland Train Station, Midland, WA
Lead Artist

2025
Spirit of the Pilbara, Tom Price, WA

A Place of Return, Coodanup Foreshore, Mandurah, WA
Lead Artist

2024
Waroona Heritage Poles, Railside Park, Waroona, WA
Lead Artist

2022
Gnomesville Public Art Panels, Wellington Mill, WA

2021
Fire Spirit and Spirit Water, Koolinup Emergency Centre, Collie, WA

2017
InterContinental Hotel Concierge Sculpture, Perth, WA

2016
Kidsafe WA Public Artwork, West Leederville, WA

Selected Sculpture Projects

2024, 2025
Sculpture by the Bay, Dunsborough, WA

2022
BC Dross, Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, WA

Selected International Projects

2025
World Wood Day Collaborative Project, Japan

2013
Stone Wall Project, Carlow, Ireland

Selected Exhibitions

International

2022, 2024 and 2026
Turn On, Chicago, USA

2019
Boxes to Die For, Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Maine, USA

2018
WOOD: 25 Years of Innovation, SOFA Chicago, USA

2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2026
American Association of Woodturners Professional Outreach Program Exhibitions, USA

2013
Form + Spirit, Center for Art in Wood, Philadelphia, USA

2005–2018
SOFA Chicago and SOFA New York, USA

2007
Pacific Connections, del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles, USA

Australia

2024
In Conversation with Christian Fletcher, Linton & Kay Galleries, WA

2022
Sculpture Inside, Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, WA

2021
Rare Crafts, Indian Ocean Craft Triennial, York, WA

2020
Perth’s Green Heart, Aspects Gallery, Kings Park, WA

2018
Studio Furniture, Bungendore Wood Works Gallery, NSW

2015
Coalesce, solo exhibition, Linton & Kay Galleries, WA

2013
Unfolding, solo exhibition, Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, WA

Public Collections

Government House Art Collection, Canberra, ACT

Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, USA
Wind Swept Spirit, 2005, formerly part of the Caplin Collection

Museum of Craft and Design, San Francisco, USA

City of Bunbury Art Collection, WA

City of Armadale Art Collection, WA

Shire of Capel Art Collection, WA

Works are also held in private collections throughout Australia and internationally.

EDUCATION

2011
Certificate IV in Visual Arts and Contemporary Craft Jewellery

2010–2011
Diploma of Arts in Furniture Design
Australian School of Wood, Dwellingup, WA

Residencies and Grants

2021
Regional Arts WA Quick Response Grant
Workshop and mentoring project with the Yilka Community, Cosmo Newberry, WA

2013
International Turning Exchange Residency
Center for Art in Wood, Philadelphia, USA

Artflight Grant
Department of Culture and the Arts WA

Selected Teaching and Professional Activities

2026
Community Workshop and Teaching Program, Wiluna Community, WA
Funded by Lotterywest, the K Dutjahn Foundation and YACWA

2021, 2023
Workshop and mentoring program with the Yilka Community, Cosmo Newberry, WA
Supported by a Regional Arts WA Quick Response Grant

2018 and 2023
Teacher, Escoulen Woodturning School, Aiguines, France

2009–2026
Invited collaborative workshops in Bunbury, WA

2009–2021
Invited workshops at Goongarrie and Credo Stations, Goldfields, WA

2007–2019
Invited collaborative workshops in Bowral, NSW

2011–2026
Invited demonstrator for the American Association of Woodturners and woodturning organisations throughout Australia, the United States, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Canada and Norway.

2012–2026
Professional contributor to the American Association of Woodturners, Woodturning Magazine and Australian Wood Review.