About David Archer

David Archer was born in Victoria, Australia. At an early age he moved with his family to Adelaide, South Australia. His mechanical interests probably stem from his father, who worked as a mechanical engineer and also happened to be a part- time inventor!

Archer spent some of his youth on a farm in the Adelaide Hills and was often rewarded by trips to the local refuse tip where he would collect all forms of discarded gadgetry and machinery, which he would then take home, disassemble and analyse.

Archer moved from his metal trade as a Boilermaker-Welder to pursue his art interests as a ceramicist, completing his Ceramic Design degree with the University of South Australia in 1987. These studies gave him insight into conceptual design and experience in the manufacture of domestic ware and ceramic sculpture.

“Automato” (1993), Archer’s first solo exhibition saw a departure from his then mostly ceramic based work. His longstanding interest in amusement machines and whimsical gadgetry inspired him to develop a body of kinetic sculptures and simple hand cranked automata.

“Primal Pillow” (1996), the Artist’s second solo exhibition saw further developments into the world of hand cranked automata, with many of the works “performing for their delighted audience”.

His most recent work was presented in “Arcadia” (2002) which included several electric coin-operated fortune-telling machines, along with intriguing electric working models, such as “George” the mechanical drinking monkey.

David Archer currently works for the University of South Australia in the School of Art as a technical officer (Ceramic and Glass). In 2003, he was awarded a residency at the Gunnery Studios in Sydney. His work continues to approach social issues though humour, but always with the human element to the fore.

Conceptually much of David’s work
is concerned with social comment
approached through humour.

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