Meet Bob
Artist, Illustrator, Poet and Musician.
Bob Haberfield (1938–2021). Born in Sydney, Australia, he spent most of his life in North Wales. He left behind a huge and varied collection of work, much of which has never been seen outside his circle of friends and family.
A Life in Art
Key moments from Bob’s creative journey.
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1938-1950s
Early Years
Music and art were part of Bob’s world from an early age
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1950s
Dance Halls
Before art became his career, Bob sang in Melbourne’s dance halls.
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1950s - 1960s
Honing His Craft
Time with Clifton Pugh at Cottles Bridge shaped Bob’s early painting style.
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1964
Solo Exhibition
Bob’s first solo exhibition marked his arrival as a professional artist.
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Mid 1960s
Flamenco
Bob’s flamenco playing took him from Melbourne coffee houses to television.
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Mid 1960s
Album Art
Bob began designing album covers for Australia’s World Record Club.
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1967
Paris
Newly married, Bob and his wife settled in Paris after their honeymoon.
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1967
Pathé Marconi
Bob’s portfolio quickly led to record covers for EMI's Pathé-Marconi.
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1968
Science Fiction
In London, Bob’s first science-fiction cover opened a new path.
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1968
Moorcock
Bob’s Michael Moorcock covers began his most celebrated collaborations.
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1969
Buddhism
A fated encounter with Buddhism transformed Bob’s life and art.
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Early 1970s
Psychedelia
Colour, surrealism and psychedelia transformed Bob’s work in the 1970s.
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Mid to Late 1970s
Facing Demons
As his family fractured and alcoholism took hold, Bob's life started to unravel.
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1979
Return to Oz
Bob returned to Australia, beginning a new chapter in commercial art.
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early 1980s
Editorial Art
Bob built a career creating striking illustrations for Australian publications.
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1981
Commercial Art
Returning to Britain brought opportunities in advertising for major brands.
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1986
Wales
Buying his first home, Bob left the Buddhist commune and began a new chapter.
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1990s
Packaging
Bob’s detailed illustrations appeared on packaging for major British brands.
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late 1990s
Retirement
As commercial work declined, Bob devoted more time to his own art.
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1998
Harmless world
Bob created the Harmless World — a gentle realm of strange, playful creatures.
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2007
Illustrated Poems
Bob’s book Illustrated Poems brought together his art and a lifetime of writing poetry.
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Mid 2010s
Slowing Down
With nothing more he wanted to express through art, Bob turned to doodling.
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2021
Legacy
Bob left behind thousands of works spanning six decades waiting to be discovered
THE STORY BEHIND THE ART
Unexpected freedom
Bob often found greater creative freedom in his commercial work than in the fine-art world. Publishers trusted him to follow his imagination, while exhibiting as a fine artist could bring pressure to paint what people might want — and what might sell. The irony was not lost on Bob: commissioned work often gave him more freedom to be himself. He came to see it as more honest, less self-conscious and, in some ways, closer to the artist he really was. ways, closer to the artist he really was.
Discover Bob’s StoryBob's Influences
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Bob drew inspiration from many places and traditions — from Buddhism and Eastern thought to nature, music and the work of other artists. These influences sparked his imagination and shaped his distinctive way of seeing the world.
Buddhism
Nature
Music
Artists
Select an influence to discover more
Bob's Poetry
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Bob wrote poetry throughout his life, capturing thoughts, observations and moments of imagination in words. Often thoughtful, sometimes playful, his poems offer another glimpse into the private creative world behind his art.
Select the pages to read the poem
Explore Bob’s PoetryA Life in Photographs
Explore More About Bob
Four short stories that reveal a little more of the man behind the art.
Click a book to read the story
Go Deeper
Through His Own Eyes
Two beautifully produced volumes explore Bob Haberfield's life and extraordinary creative journey.
Together they bring his art and imagination into a wider view
"It’s your music, the song your heart sings.”
