Colin Roberts - ARTE Artisan of the Month

 

 

 

  • Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, and personal stuff).  

Colin Roberts, Born 1939 - wearing a little now but still as enthusiastic as ever. Living in

Umm Sequim since 1992 - Mirdiff prior to that (our own desert at the front door). My

main activity in Dubai - making and marketing sandstone /Marble items such as sculpture,

planters pedestals, fountains Marble/Mosaic table tops. Etc for house/Palace and Garden -

all displayed at the ART HOUSE Gallery DUBAI on Al Wasl Road DUBAI.

 

  • What inspires you? Where do your ideas come from? 

An important tool for inspiration is my set of eyes and the majority of my ideas are associated

with believing that functionality takes precedence over frivolity.

 

  • Greatest claim to fame (with respect to your craft)

To be the only person in this country designing and making several of my products with the

main theme being the UAE 1 Dirham coin.

 

  • Where were you born  ? 

Altrincham Cheshire UK

 

 

  • How long have you been doing your craft ?

In many forms since 1948 

 

   

  • How did you learn your craft  ?

School basics in art and general woodwork, plus tutorial training with Frederick Appleton

(the man who made who made the original prototype wooden bombs for Barnes Wallis

during the 2ND World War for the bombing of water Dams in Holland) plus an insatiable

capacity to learn and practice many practical and technical skills.

 

 

  • Favourite film of all time  ?  

A close call: FROM HERE TO ETERNITY or OUT OF AFRICA

 

 

  • What was the last CD you bought ? 

Charlie Parker: JAZZ AT THE PHILHARMONIC - RECORDED 1946 

 

 

  • Are you married ?  

YES - to the most wonderful 24 hour partner

 

    

  • Do you have kids ?  if so please tell us more about them 

2 boys (men) 28 & 26 - 1ST is a property consultant (making more than me) 2nd

a fellow artist, crafter, musician, singer and works for us .

 

  • How long have you been in the UAE ? 

26 years

 

  • How long do you intend to stay in the UAE ? 

Until the boots wear out

 

 

  • Do you belong to any other groups ? 

Life fellow of RSPB

 

 

  • What are your favourite materials? 

Wood, stone and Clay

 

  • What is your favourite colour? 

Burnt sienna 

 

 

  • What are you reading right now? 

Dawn over Oman by Paulene Searle Written 1975/revised 1979. 14O pages of

compulsive reading about the emergence of Oman at an important time in its history.

 

 

  • Any tips on selling handmade items? 

Keep standing and meet with people face to face, sitting is not conducive to selling

at Bazaars, talk about your products - don't be timid about something you should be proud of.

 

  • Apart from creating things, what else do you do?

I have a lifelong interest in architecture, art, sculpture, history, geography, flora, fauna

and everything else that other people do.

 

 

  • Your star sign  

LEO (Grrrrrr)

 

  • How can ARTE be improved ? 

By continuous observation and social intercourse with those who buy and those who sell.

 

You can contact Colin at colrobghurfa@hotmail.com

or see more of his work via his website www.robertsartsandcrafts-sandstone.com