John Edgar (sculptor) explained

John Edgar
Birth Name:John Stanley Edgar
Birth Date:26 December 1950
Birth Place:Auckland, New Zealand
Death Place:Auckland, New Zealand
Education:Mount Albert Grammar School
Alma Mater:University of New South Wales

John Stanley Edgar (26 December 1950 – 3 April 2021) was a New Zealand sculptor and medallist.

Early life and education

Born in Auckland on 26 December 1950, Edgar was educated at Mount Albert Grammar School and then the University of New South Wales.[1] [2] [3] He then worked as a research chemist and as a prospector before turning to sculpture.

Sculptural work

As a sculptor, Edgar worked chiefly in hard stone, and occasionally in other materials, such as glass or copper.[4]

In 2000, he designed McLeod's Crossing, a pedestrian bridge over the Oratia Stream in Falls Park, Henderson,[5] commissioned by Waitakere City Council. Since 2004, a public commission, Transformer, has been part of the sculpture walk in the Auckland Domain.[6] Another work, Lie of the Land, was installed in the Savill Garden, in Windsor Great Park in England, in 2012.[7] His works are also in a number of public collections, including Auckland Council,[8] Christchurch Art Gallery, Corning Museum of Glass (USA), the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and the National Museum of Australia.

Edgar designed the Icon award medal for the Arts Foundation of New Zealand, and the medal awarded to Companions of Auckland War Memorial Museum.[9] The latter is made from "two New Zealand argillites (pakohe) from the South Island bound together with aluminium". He also illustrated books of poetry by Dinah Hawken.[10] [11]

Honours and awards

Edgar was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2009 New Year Honours, for services to art, in particular sculpture.[12]

Other activities

Edgar lived in Karekare, and served as president of the Waitakere Ranges Protection Society since 1998. He was made a life member of the society in 2005.[13]

Death

He died in Auckland on 3 April 2021.[3]

References

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: John Edgar . NZ Sculpture OnShore . 1 March 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190314083317/http://www.nzsculptureonshore.co.nz/explore/john-edgar . 14 March 2019 . dead .
  2. Web site: John Edgar: Lie of the Land . . 1 March 2019.
  3. News: John Edgar death notice . 6 April 2021 . New Zealand Herald . 6 April 2021.
  4. Web site: John Edgar – Meet the makers behind our awards . . 1 March 2019 . 17 April 2018.
  5. Web site: Edgar. John. Transformer. 2021-08-19. Auckland Public Art.
  6. Web site: Edgar. John. Red Cross. 2021-08-19. Auckland Public Art.
  7. Web site: The Savill Garden, New Zealand Gardens, Windsor Great Park . Kiwi Kids Abroad . 1 March 2019.
  8. Web site: 19 Aug 2021. Search. 2021-08-19. Auckland Public Art.
  9. Book: 2018 awards programme notes . Auckland War Memorial Museum.
  10. Web site: page stone leaf – Dinah Hawken, John Edgar . Holloway Press . 1 March 2019.
  11. Web site: Ocean and Stone . Victoria University Press . 1 March 2019.
  12. Web site: New Year honours list 2009 . 31 December 2008 . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 2 March 2019.
  13. Web site: Committee Members . Waitakere Ranges Protection Society . 1 March 2019.