John Edgar | |
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Born | John Stanley Edgar 26 December 1950 Auckland, New Zealand |
Died | 3 April 2021 Auckland, New Zealand | (aged 70)
Education | Mount Albert Grammar School |
Alma mater | University of New South Wales |
Occupations |
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Website | www |
John Stanley Edgar ONZM (26 December 1950 – 3 April 2021) was a New Zealand sculptor and medallist.
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]
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]
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]
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]
He died in Auckland on 3 April 2021.[3]