Collection: John Edgar

John Edgar (1950–2021) was a renowned, self-taught New Zealand artist whose deep connection to the environment shaped his artistic vision. Over a fifty-year career, he developed a distinctive sculptural language using stone and creating precise, contemplative works that explored the tension between humanity and nature. Motivated by environmental concerns, John sourced materials from New Zealand, India, and Scotland, often working with Coromandel granite, greywacke river stones and Indian limestone. His intricate inlay technique - combining contrasting stones with mathematical precision - made his work uniquely resonant and visually striking.  

Major exhibitions included ‘Ballast’ (2009), ‘Calculus’ (2002–2004), and ‘Lie of the Land’ (1998–1999), the latter installed permanently at the Savill Garden, UK.

In 2009, he was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM). John’s public sculptures appear throughout Auckland, and his advocacy for environmental protection extended into community leadership. His legacy continues to speak through stone - quietly, powerfully and with enduring clarity.