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John Edgar

b. 1950

  • Biography
  • Selected Works
  • Selected Press
  • Exhibitions
  • Biography
  • Works
  • Press
  • Exhibitions

New Zealand sculptor John Edgar has achieved international renown over three decades. Throughout his career he has pursued the ancient knowledge of stone carving techniques in his travels to China, Korea, Taiwan and India. Edgar has physically explored and selected individual stones from the great quarries of Scotland, Australia and India, and has also prospected for stone in New Zealand’s South Island. Central to his practice are strong links to the environment, bringing into balance the elements of concept, material and process. He says of these objects, ‘These slices of the land are revelations of how intimately the environment meshes. How seamless are the interrelationships of earth and sky, land and sea, heaven and earth, black and white? The convergence of the two into one.’

Edgar’s stone pieces are not the result of a studio production team: from selection of the stone to the final polishing, through to difficult international freight logistics, all aspects of his work (and complex installations) are wrought by the artist himself.

Edgar’s fascination with duality has been a consistent thread throughout his work. He slices stone and inserts bands, crosses and lines of contrasting stone or glass. Enormous technical sophistication is necessary to create works without flaw, fault, scratch or blemish. Edgar’s complete control over his medium and the powerful modern tools used to sculpt, allow for a seamless convergence. He recombines that which has been divided, turning natural forms into artefacts instilled with a simplicity and modernism that belies the technical processes involved.

Exhibiting since 1979, Edgar is well represented in public and private collections both in New Zealand and abroad. Four nationally touring exhibitions Calculus, 2002-2004, Lie of the Land, 1998-1999, Cross Country, 1996, and Making Amends, 1993-1995, presented his work at key stages in his career. In 2004, Edgar installed a public commission titled Transformer, in the Auckland Domain, New Zealand, and in 2009 was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to art, in particular to sculpture. In 2012 Great Britain’s Crown Estate inaugurated Lie of the Land in the Savill Garden, in The Great Park, at Windsor, UK.

Edgar lives and works in Auckland, New Zealand.

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JE 1
  • Lie of the Land
    Lie of the Land, 2012

    Installation view, headland, Sculpture on the Gulf, Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand

    Lie of the Land
    Lie of the Land, 2012

    Installation view, headland, Sculpture on the Gulf, Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand

  • Lens Serpentine Red Granite Saltire
    Lens Serpentine Red Granite Saltire, 2017

    serpentine and granite

    290 x 290 x 85 mm

    Lens Serpentine Red Granite Saltire
    Lens Serpentine Red Granite Saltire, 2017

    serpentine and granite

    290 x 290 x 85 mm

  • Landmark
    Landmark, 2009

    Whinstone (Scotland), copper, nephrite jade, and jasper (New Zealand)

    740 x 790 x 400 mm

    Landmark
    Landmark, 2009

    Whinstone (Scotland), copper, nephrite jade, and jasper (New Zealand)

    740 x 790 x 400 mm

  • Code
    Code, 2006

    Installation view, Waitakere Civic Square, Auckland, New Zealand

    Basalt (Timaru, New Zealand), limestone and red sandstone (Rajasthan, India)

    4.2 x 0.5 x 0.5 mm

    Code
    Code, 2006

    Installation view, Waitakere Civic Square, Auckland, New Zealand

    Basalt (Timaru, New Zealand), limestone and red sandstone (Rajasthan, India)

    4.2 x 0.5 x 0.5 mm

  • Wavelength
    Wavelength, 2013

    Installation view, Private residence, Sydney, Australia

    Marble (Carrara, Italy)

    1400 x 1000 x 600 mm

    Wavelength
    Wavelength, 2013

    Installation view, Private residence, Sydney, Australia

    Marble (Carrara, Italy)

    1400 x 1000 x 600 mm

  • Cube (Red Glass)
    Cube (Red Glass), 2012

    Marble (Carrara, Italy) and glass

    175 x 175 x 175 mm

    Cube (Red Glass)
    Cube (Red Glass), 2012

    Marble (Carrara, Italy) and glass

    175 x 175 x 175 mm

  • Flagstone
    Flagstone, 2009

    Marble (Takaka, New Zealand)

    830 x 510 x 240 mm

    Flagstone
    Flagstone, 2009

    Marble (Takaka, New Zealand)

    830 x 510 x 240 mm

  • Bomb
    Bomb, 2013

    Basalt (Auckland) and granite (India)

    1230 x 255 x 255 mm

    Bomb
    Bomb, 2013

    Basalt (Auckland) and granite (India)

    1230 x 255 x 255 mm

  • Seats
    Seats, 2007

    Installation View, Queen Street, Auckland, New Zealand

    Granite (China) with marble, granite, and serpentine inserts

    500 x 500 x 500 mm

    Seats
    Seats, 2007

    Installation View, Queen Street, Auckland, New Zealand

    Granite (China) with marble, granite, and serpentine inserts

    500 x 500 x 500 mm

  • Borderline
    Borderline, 1992

    Granite (India)

    530 x 100 x 230 mm

    Borderline
    Borderline, 1992

    Granite (India)

    530 x 100 x 230 mm

  • Cross
    Cross, 2004

    Sandstone (Tasmania, Australia)

    620 x 415 x 280 mm

    Cross
    Cross, 2004

    Sandstone (Tasmania, Australia)

    620 x 415 x 280 mm

  • Lie of the Land
    Lie of the Land, 2012

    Installation view, The Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park, Windsor, UK

    Lie of the Land
    Lie of the Land, 2012

    Installation view, The Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park, Windsor, UK

  • Lie of the Land
    Lie of the Land, 2012

    Installation view, The Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park, Windsor, UK

    Lie of the Land
    Lie of the Land, 2012

    Installation view, The Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park, Windsor, UK

  • Cornerstone
    Cornerstone, 2008

    Basalt (Timaru, New Zealand) and sandstone (Rajasthan, India)

    370 x 370 x 370 mm

    Cornerstone
    Cornerstone, 2008

    Basalt (Timaru, New Zealand) and sandstone (Rajasthan, India)

    370 x 370 x 370 mm

  • Lunar Lens
    Lunar Lens, 2014

    Basalt (Mt. Horrible, Timaru), scoria (Red Crater, Tongariro)

    460 x 460 x 100 mm

    Lunar Lens
    Lunar Lens, 2014

    Basalt (Mt. Horrible, Timaru), scoria (Red Crater, Tongariro)

    460 x 460 x 100 mm

  • Marble Operator and Red Glass Cross
    Marble Operator and Red Glass Cross, 2016

    Marble (Carrara, Italy) and glass

    85 x 85 x 23 mm

    Marble Operator and Red Glass Cross
    Marble Operator and Red Glass Cross, 2016

    Marble (Carrara, Italy) and glass

    85 x 85 x 23 mm

  • Red Cross
    Red Cross, 2008

    Installation view, Waitakere Civic Square, Auckland, New Zealand

    Basalt (Timaru, New Zealand) and red sandstone (Rajasthan, India)

    1.5 x 1.5 x 0.6 m

    Red Cross
    Red Cross, 2008

    Installation view, Waitakere Civic Square, Auckland, New Zealand

    Basalt (Timaru, New Zealand) and red sandstone (Rajasthan, India)

    1.5 x 1.5 x 0.6 m

  • Compass
    Compass, 1984

    Nephrite jade (New Zealand)

    Diameter 120 x 5 mm

    Compass
    Compass, 1984

    Nephrite jade (New Zealand)

    Diameter 120 x 5 mm

  • Stone Bone Shell
    Stone Bone Shell, 1988

    Marble (Carrara, Italy) and jasper (New Zealand)

    250 x 50 x 40 mm (bone)

    Stone Bone Shell
    Stone Bone Shell, 1988

    Marble (Carrara, Italy) and jasper (New Zealand)

    250 x 50 x 40 mm (bone)

  • Lie of the Land
    Lie of the Land, 2012

    Installation view, The Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park, Windsor, UK

    Lie of the Land
    Lie of the Land, 2012

    Installation view, The Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park, Windsor, UK

  • Ballast - Bringing the Stones Home
    Ballast - Bringing the Stones Home, 2012

    Installation view, Gus Fisher Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand

    Ballast - Bringing the Stones Home
    Ballast - Bringing the Stones Home, 2012

    Installation view, Gus Fisher Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand

  • Element
    Element, 2010

    Serpentine (India) and glass

    300 x 285 x 285 mm

    Element
    Element, 2010

    Serpentine (India) and glass

    300 x 285 x 285 mm

  • Crux
    Crux , 2009

    Granite (India), and porphyry (China)

    160 x 160 x 160 mm

    Crux
    Crux , 2009

    Granite (India), and porphyry (China)

    160 x 160 x 160 mm

  • Lie of the Land
    Lie of the Land, 2012

    Installation view, The Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park, Windsor, UK

    Lie of the Land
    Lie of the Land, 2012

    Installation view, The Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park, Windsor, UK

  • Lie of the Land
    Lie of the Land, 2012

    Installation view, headland, Sculpture on the Gulf, Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand

    Lie of the Land
    Lie of the Land, 2012

    Installation view, headland, Sculpture on the Gulf, Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand

  • Core
    Core, 2006

    Tonalite (Coromandel, New Zealand) and granite (India)

    225 x 225 x 75 mm

    Core
    Core, 2006

    Tonalite (Coromandel, New Zealand) and granite (India)

    225 x 225 x 75 mm

  • Sett
    Sett, 2009

    Serpentine (Griffin Range, New Zealand), grantite (Corrennie, Tormore, and Kemnay, Scotland) and basalt (Auckland, New Zealand)

    340 x 340 x 340 mm

    Sett
    Sett, 2009

    Serpentine (Griffin Range, New Zealand), grantite (Corrennie, Tormore, and Kemnay, Scotland) and basalt (Auckland, New Zealand)

    340 x 340 x 340 mm

  • Bowl
    Bowl, 2009

    Basalt (Timaru, New Zealand)

    800 x 600 x 600 mm

    Bowl
    Bowl, 2009

    Basalt (Timaru, New Zealand)

    800 x 600 x 600 mm

  • Cube
    Cube, 2009

    Tonalite (Coromandel, New Zealand) and granite (India)

    148 x 148 x 148 mm

    Cube
    Cube, 2009

    Tonalite (Coromandel, New Zealand) and granite (India)

    148 x 148 x 148 mm

  • Transformer
    Transformer, 2004

    Installation view, Auckland Domain, New Zealand

    Tonalite (Coromandel, New Zealand) and granite (India)

    3.6 x 0.75 x 0.75 m and 2.2 x 0.85 x 0.50 m

    Transformer
    Transformer, 2004

    Installation view, Auckland Domain, New Zealand

    Tonalite (Coromandel, New Zealand) and granite (India)

    3.6 x 0.75 x 0.75 m and 2.2 x 0.85 x 0.50 m

  • Compass
    Compass, 2009

    Granite (Stirlinghill Quarry, Peterhead, Scotland) and basalt (Mokomoko Quarry, Southland, New Zealand)

    910 x 900 x 230 mm

    Compass
    Compass, 2009

    Granite (Stirlinghill Quarry, Peterhead, Scotland) and basalt (Mokomoko Quarry, Southland, New Zealand)

    910 x 900 x 230 mm

  • Evocations of Distance
    Evocations of Distance

    Art News New Zealand, article by Elizabeth Rankin

    Spring 2012


    Download PDF
  • Calculus
    Calculus

    Exhibition Catalogue

    The Dowse Art Museum, Lower Hutt, Wellington

    2012


    Download PDF
  • Array, Arc & Ballast
    Array, Arc & Ballast

    Art New Zealand 132, article by Peter Simpson

    Summer 2009-2010

     

    Enquire at Art New Zealand


  • Ballast, Bringing the Stones Home
    Ballast, Bringing the Stones Home

    Exhibition Catalogue

    National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

    2009


    Download PDF
  • Intelligible Elements – John Edgar’s Flags and Phases
    Intelligible Elements – John Edgar’s Flags and Phases

    Exhibition Catalogue, essay by Peter Simpson

    Artis Gallery, Auckland, 2003 and Janne Land Gallery, Wellington, 2004


    Download PDF
  • Cross-over Art
    Cross-over Art

    Object Magazine, article by Helen Schamroth

    Issue 3, September 2000


    Download PDF
  • Words for Stone
    Words for Stone

    Digit Exhibition Catalogue, essay by Peter Simpson

    Artis Gallery, Auckland, 1999


    Download PDF
  • Thinking in Stone, John Edgar’s ‘Lie of the Land’
    Thinking in Stone, John Edgar’s ‘Lie of the Land’

    Art New Zealand 88, article by Peter Simpson

    Spring 1998

     

    Enquire at Art New Zealand


  • John Edgar – Lie of the Land
    John Edgar – Lie of the Land

    Exhibition Catalogue, essay by Brian Opie

    Auckland Museum and NZ tour, 1998


    Download PDF
  • John Edgar – Cross Country
    John Edgar – Cross Country

    Exhibition Catalogue, essay by Brian Opie

    Lopdell Gallery and NZ tour, 1996


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  • P_R_O_C_E_S_S_
    November 16 — December 21, 2018
    P_R_O_C_E_S_S_

    Galia Amsel | Stephen Bambury | Stella Brennan | Phil Dadson | John Edgar | Jennifer French | Brendon Leung | Anthony McCall | Kazu Nakagawa

    View details →
  • December 13 — January 28, 2016
    "taking stock"

    Stephen Bambury | Ann Shelton | Phil Dadson | Anthony McCall | Kazu Nakagawa | Galia Amsel | Chris-Corson Scott | John Edgar | Marie Shannon | Vincent Ward | Heather Straka | Jennifer French

    View details →
  • RE:VISION
    April 14 — June 20, 2014
    RE:VISION

    Marina Abramovic / Billy Apple / Roger Ballen / Stephen Bambury / Bruce Connew / John Edgar / Michael Ghent / Shaun Gladwell / Alfredo Jaar / Eemyuen Kang / Kimsooja / Anthony McCall / Ann Robinson / Marie Shannon / Ann Shelton / Hiroshi Sugimoto / James Turrell

    View details →

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