John Edgar (sculptor)

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]

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