Robert Klippel was born in Sydney on 19 June 1920. During World War II the Navy employed him to produce models of military vessels and aircraft. In 1946, he decided to become a professional sculptor, so he enrolled in the East Sydney Technical College. However, with his father's support, Klippel was able to study at the Slade School of Art in London. Whilst there he met the Australian surrealist painter, James Gleeson who encouraged him to pursue sculpture without any further study.
After travelling and working in Europe and America for nearly 10 years, Klippel finally decided to return to Australia. He has lived and worked at "Birchgrove" in Sydney since 1963.
