Debbie Templeton-Page
Debbie Templeton-Page - Born in Tasmania and has aboriginal ancestry, she moved to New Zealand in her 20's.
Debbie has been sculpting since 1999, and for the last 10 years has worked as a full time professional sculptor and tutor from her studio / gallery at York Street Gallery of Fine Art. Debbie predominantly exhibits in the South Canterbury region (South Island, New Zealand), but has also exhibited work in Italy in 2004, where she attended a resident sculpture course working with marble and alabaster.
Her sculptures grace homes around the world and she has created many commissions locally and internationally. Debbie's sculptures can be seen at the AIGANTIGHE ART Gallery, the foyer of the TIMARU DISTRICT COUNCIL building, ST MARYS CHURCH, and at the top of the main street of TIMARU overlooking CAROLINE BAY you can see a 3.2 metre bluestone piece titled 'BRONZE' (pictured right), to name but a few public pieces in Timaru.
A 2 metre tall bluestone sculpture called 'ZOLIEKAH' resides in the main St of OXFORD, Canterbury, New Zealand. Large public sculptures can also be of Debbie's can also be found in Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Temuka, Lincoln and Ashburton.
Lady Mateparae was gifted a sculpture of Templeton-Page’s for Government House. Also Sir James Wallace bought a bronze sculpture for the Wallace Trust Art Collection. Over her time as a sculptor she has been invited judge, guest artist ,award recipient and has been in many group exhibitions.
Debbie designed striking new signs for the Timaru District Council.
That are placed at the 5 main road district entrances to the Timaru District, – The sets of 5 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.
Statement From Artist
“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. Having worked in many different mediums over the years, (all i love for different reasons), Bluestone (Basalt) has me in ‘its grip’ for over 18 years. The natural beauty that emulates from the stone just amazes me.. It is a natural resource that is quarried in Timaru, is a part of the local shoreline and hills.