Debbie Templeton-Page
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 2 large works 1 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. Over 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 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 s twisting and turning in my mind, inspired not only by the way they look but also the way they feel. The stone ,clay ,wax 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, is a part of the local shoreline and hills.
Exhibitions
2021 Tai Tapu sculpture garden exhibition
2020- Alpine Energy Awards Highly Commended 3D Award for Around and Around we go,Aigantighe Art Gallery
2020- River of Dreams 2 ton Bluestone commissioned sculpture placed in Lincoln township.
2020- Tai Tapu sculpture exhibition.
2019 -Alpine Energy awards Aigantighe art gallery 1st place for bronze sculpture Memories.
2019- North Canterbury exhibition…My sculpture 3 Guardians bought by Pegasus Bay Winery and stands in their beautiful estate gardens
2019- Dreams Journey Exhibition Aigantighe Art Gallery
2018- Alpine Energy Awards Merit award for ‘My Beautiful Friend’ cast lead crystal.
2018- Ashburton Stone sculpting Symposium
2018 - Eyes on the Face of Time, large Bluestone Sculpture permanently placed at the front of the Aigantighe Art Gallery.
2018-. R.S.M. Plunket Exhibition Aigantighe Art Gallery.
2017 - Timaru Boys High School commission 3m tall with base Bluestone sculpture placed at front of school. 'Knowledge, Power, Wisdom and Family’.
2017 - Lady Fiona Elworthy donates a sculpture from the Hope and Connections Exhibition to Woodford School.
2017 - 26th Wallace Art Awards Finalist ,' In the Mirror' bronze.
2016- Aigantighe Art gallery Timaru, "HOPE AND CONNECTIONS" exhibition 25 sculptures,(2300mm tall to 100mm) made from the rubble from central Christchurch and the proceeds to the Chch Cathedral Fund.
2016 -Aigantighe Art Gallery Timaru bought 'Looking Through Memories Window' 1200mm x 900mmx 300mm. for the permanent collection.
2016 - Guardians 2600mmBluestone 7 ton sculpture . Placed Limestone Valley Estate Lavender Farm.
2016 - Alpine Energy Award for ‘Faces in Time’ bronze 1\1
2016 - Ashburton Stone sculpting Symposium.
2015- Roncalli College Timaru- Commissioned Timaru Bluestone sculpture. now stands in their grounds. 2014 Atlas 7 tons bluestone sculpture placed in central Christchurch as part of Life in Vacant Spaces.
2014- Timaru Girls High- Commissioned Bluestone sculpture 1500mm high. now stands in their grounds.
2014- Alpine Energy Art Awards- Guest Artist \ sculpture judge.
2014 -Wallace Art Trust Awards Finalist......sculpture titled A PIECE OF ME ,A PIECE OF YOU [bronze] - Sir James Wallace bought this bronze sculpture for The Wallace Trust Art Collection
2014 -Ashburton stone sculpting symposium-
The 2m Blue stone sculpture 'Generations' created at this symposium .Was bought by a Mid-Canterbury man in conjunction with the Ashburton District Council .And is placed in the Domain. In memory of the mans son and Ashburton’s 150 Anniversary.
2013 - Bluestone Lady Sculpture presented to Lady Mateparae for Government House by Major Janie Annear.
2013 - Exhibition at Bryce Gallery - Christchurch.
2012 - Award at Ashburton Arts Exhibition in the Main Council Art Gallery
2012 - Award at the Aigantighe Art Gallery S.C Art Award.
2012 - T.D.C has put 2 large Basalt sculptures of mine at Caroline Bay
2012 - Public Sculpture for ANZCO Foods Ashburton.
2012 - Large Basalt Sculpture commission to U.S.A (3/4 ton)
2012 - 2nd Solo Exhibition.
2011 - Sculpture award S.C Art Exhibition at the Aigantighe Art Gallery
2011 - Lake Tekapo bought 2 ½ meter Bluestone Sculpture to be placed between the Lake and the Shops (still to be placed)…placed at the town hall.
2010 - Guest artist, A.S.A. 46th Placed at Exhibition@Ashburton Public Art Gallery.
2010 - ‘ATHENA’, bluestone sculpture commission for North Haven child care centre and placed in their grounds at Arthur St, Timaru.
2009 - ‘ZOLIEKAH’ 2m high bluestone sculpture, commissioned for the town of Oxford & Placed on the main street.
2009 - ‘MORGAN’ Commissioned by Gareth Morgan for Holme Station Homestead.
2009 - Solo Exhibition
2009 - ‘WHIPSPER’S OF ANGELS’ for St Mary’s Church ,Timaru
2008 - St Josephs , Jubilee- sculpture ,Temuka. ‘Gods Hands’ [Limestone]2008 - ‘BRONZE’ 3.20m high bluestone sculpture commissioned by Raymond, Sullivan, McGlashan and gifted to Timaru as part of the firms 125th anniversary and placed at the top of the main street of Timaru town, overlooking Caroline Bay.
2007 - Aigantighe Art Gallery, Timaru purchased for the gallery collection the sculpture ‘Love’, [Alabaster].
2007 - Waimataitai school’s Jubilee- sculpture ‘Gali’ [Bluestone], unveiled by Prime Minister ‘Helen Clark’.
2006 - Timaru District Council for the entrance of the new office building, sculpture ‘Destiny ‘[Bluestone].
2005 - Merit Award from South Canterbury Arts Society, Aigantighe Art Gallery, Timaru.
2005 - First Prize in the Waimate Art Society Exhibition, Waimate.
2004 - Exhibited at the Centro d’arte Verrocchio, Italy.
2004 - Guest artist at the Aigantighe for the south Canterbury arts society exhibition, Westpac Art Awards.
2003 - Merit Award from South Canterbury Arts Society, Aigantighe Art Gallery, Timaru.
2003 - St Mary’s Church, sculpture ‘Peace’ [Lime Stone].
2002 - Selected for inclusion in the ‘Cleveland Living Arts’, in Dunedin.