1980s

The Artworks became the biggest studio in Canberra for most of the 1980s.

1980 was a huge change in my business structure. Gray Graphics was located in a commercial office in Belconnen and trading very well. Later in the year, I was approached by Frank Kert who had an office in Griffith shops trading as Frank Kert & Associates. While I was a sole trader with the occasional part-time staff, Frank already had 3 junior designers in his staff.

A mutual client — an advertising agency — suggested he talk to me and by December 1980 The Artworks name was born.

The successful partnership with Frank and John McLennan—both originally from Brisbane—lasted for a few years until both Frank and John returned to sunny Queensland.