Alan Gibbs Explained

Alan Gibbs
Birth Place:Christchurch, New Zealand
Known For:Gibbs Amphibians, Gibbs Farm, SKY TV (New Zealand)
Occupation:entrepreneur, businessman, art collector
Alma Mater:Canterbury University (B.A., 1961)
Victoria University of Wellington (M.A., Economics, 1962)
Parents:Theodore Nisbet Gibbs
Elsie Gibbs
Spouse:Jennifer Gore (Dame Jenny Gibbs)
Children:Amanda, Debbi and Emma and one son Thane.

Alan Gibbs (born 1939) is a New Zealand-born businessman, entrepreneur and art collector. After a successful business career in New Zealand, which made him one of that country's wealthiest individuals, he relocated to London in 1999. He retains strong links to New Zealand through his development of Gibbs Farm, one of the world's leading sculpture parks. He is the founder of Gibbs Amphibians, based in Detroit, Michigan, Nuneaton, UK, and Auckland, New Zealand, which pioneers high-speed amphibious vehicle technologies.

Early life

Alan Gibbs was born in Christchurch, the son of Theodore Nisbet Gibbs and Elsie Gibbs.[1]

New Zealand business career

Gibbs went to London in 1963 as Third Secretary in the New Zealand High Commission, returning to New Zealand in 1965 to work in the Prime Minister's department.[2]

Art and sculpture collection at Gibbs Farm

Gibbs is one of New Zealand's leading art collectors, and since 1991 has been establishing a sprawling 1000acres sculpture park at Gibbs Farm,[3] [4] which is located on Kaipara Harbour on New Zealand's North Island, north of Auckland in the Rodney district.

Among the art works installed on The Farm are monumental pieces by contemporary artists including Daniel Buren, Neil Dawson, Marijke de Goey, Andy Goldsworthy, Anish Kapoor, George Rickey, Richard Serra and Bernar Venet.[5] [6]

Honours and awards

In 2018, Gibbs was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.[7]

Books and media

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Goldsmith, Paul. TN Gibbs. 2002. David Ling. Auckland.
  2. Book: Goldsmith, Paul. Serious Fun: the life and times of Alan Gibbs. 2012. Random House. Auckland. 978-978-1-86979-2.
  3. Web site: Gibbs Farm official website. 2010. 20 September 2012. 19 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120919220755/http://gibbsfarm.org.nz/. live.
  4. Web site: Sculpture in the Gibbs Farm. VentureBees. 4 August 2012. 20 September 2012. Haseeb. https://web.archive.org/web/20121006143945/http://venturebees.com/sculpture-in-the-gibbs-farm/. 6 October 2012. dead.
  5. Web site: The Incredible Sculptures of Gibbs Farm . 16 January 2015 . 19 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150119235305/http://twistedsifter.com/2012/07/the-sculptures-of-gibbs-farm-new-zealand/ . live .
  6. http://www.robgarrettcfa.com/content/2009/06/01/the-farm-alan-gibbs "The Farm"
  7. Web site: Past laureates . Business Hall of Fame . 19 February 2023 . 16 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216094956/http://www.businesshalloffame.co.nz/past-laureates/ . live .