Gardner lectured on Sculpture at Prahran College of Advanced Education, Melbourne, and was a visiting artist at the Sydney University Summer Art Workshop.

John designed and built bronze foundries at East Sydney Technical College and Alexander Mackie Colleges of Advanced Education. John also owned and operated the Bronze Sculpture Workshop/Gallery at Bondi Beach.

The strength and immediacy of Gardner’s work is conveyed well by the natural materials like bronze, wood, glass and stone with which he works. As an artist, he is intent on exploring the relationships between mind and matter, and the iconography of different cultures.

John’s works are part of both corporate and private collections throughout Australia and the United States. Corporate clients include ING, Myer, Multiplex, GIO and Baulderstone Hornibrook.