John Edgar (sculptor)

For the British sculptor, see Jon Edgar.

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

John Edgar ONZM
Born	John Stanley Edgar (1950-12-26)26 December 1950 Auckland, New Zealand
Died	3 April 2021(2021-04-03) (aged 70) Auckland, New Zealand
Education	Mount Albert Grammar School
Alma mater	University of New South Wales
Occupations	Sculptor Medallist
Partner	Ann Robinson
Website	www.johnedgar.co.nz

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

Edgar died in Auckland on 3 April 2021.^[3]

Gallery

• 
  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
• 
  Birdbath, Takapuna Rose Gardens