Artists

Debbie Templeton-Page was born in Tasmania and has aboriginal ancestry. She moved permanently to New Zealand in her twenties and has been sculpting since 1999. She works full-time as a sculptor and tutor from her studio/gallery in York Street, Timaru.  Predominantly exhibiting in the South Canterbury region, but also in Italy in 2004, where she did a resident sculpture course working in marble and alabaster. Debbie’s unique sculptures grace homes locally and internationally, and she has done numerous commissions. Debbie has large public sculptures in Oxford, Lake Tekapo, Ashburton, Temuka, Timaru and Lincoln. Lady Mateparae was gifted a sculpture of Templeton-Page’s for Government House.  Sir James Wallace bought a bronze sculpture for the Wallace Trust Art Collection. Aigantighe Art Gallery has sculptures of hers in the permanent collection including two large works, one at the main entrance. Christchurch ‘Life in Vacant Spaces’ chose to place ’Atlas’, a large Bluestone sculpture, in Peterborough St, Central Christchurch for 4 plus years. During her time as a sculptor she has been invited judge, guest artist, award recipient of many group exhibitions.

Debbie designed striking new signs for the Timaru District Council that are placed at the five main road district entrances to the Timaru District – the sets of five pillars of steel feature abstract reflections of the amazing aspects of the district, our people, our rivers, our nature, our sea and mountains.

They are striking public artworks that offer a unique welcome to the district.

Artist Statement 

“From the moment I first picked up a hammer and chisel, sculpting has been my passion and obsession. Sculptures and rocks are always twisting and turning in my mind, inspired not only by the way they look but also the way they feel.  The stone, clay, wax, resin and lead crystal sometimes has a mind of its own. Other times the sculptures I create are a reflection of my life, a way of expressing myself and sometimes a bit of both.  I have worked in many different mediums over the years, all I love for different reasons. Bluestone (Basalt) has had me in ‘its grip’ for about 18 years.  The natural beauty that emulates from the stone just amazes me.  It is a natural resource that is quarried in Timaru and is a part of the local shoreline and hills.