John_Edgar_(sculptor)

John Edgar (sculptor)

John Edgar (sculptor)

New Zealand sculptor and medallist (1950–2021)

For the British sculptor, see Jon Edgar.

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

Quick Facts ONZM, Born ...

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.[2]

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,[4][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.[4]

Edgar designed the Icon award medal for the Arts Foundation of New Zealand,[4] 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".[9] 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.[13] He was made a life member of the society in 2005.[13]

Death

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

  • Lens, in the Auckland Botanic Gardens
  • Font, in the Auckland Botanic Gardens
  • Red Cross, in Henderson
  • Transformer, in Henderson
  • McLeod's Crossing, a footbridge designed by Edgar in Henderson

References

  1. [1]
    "John Edgar". NZ Sculpture OnShore. Archived from the original on 14 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  2. [2]
    "John Edgar: Lie of the Land". Christchurch Art Gallery. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  3. [3]
    "John Edgar death notice". New Zealand Herald. 6 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  4. [4]
    "John Edgar – Meet the makers behind our awards". Arts Foundation of New Zealand. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  5. [5]
    Edgar, John. "Transformer". Auckland Public Art. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  6. [6]
    Edgar, John. "Red Cross". Auckland Public Art. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  7. [7]
    "The Savill Garden, New Zealand Gardens, Windsor Great Park". Kiwi Kids Abroad. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  8. [8]
    "Search". Auckland Public Art. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  9. [9]
    2018 awards programme notes. Auckland War Memorial Museum.
  10. [10]
    "page stone leaf – Dinah Hawken, John Edgar". Holloway Press. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  11. [11]
    "Ocean and Stone". Victoria University Press. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  12. [12]
    "New Year honours list 2009". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2008. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  13. [13]
    "Committee Members". Waitakere Ranges Protection Society. Retrieved 1 March 2019.

Further reading

  • Price, Graham (1989). "John Edgar's Stonelines". NZ Crafts (29): 17–20.
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