About Ian

Ian first became fascinated with limestone sculpting on moving to Oamaru, North Otago in the late '70's. His first attempt at sculpting was full life size character figures. Ian then progressed on to restoring Historic Heritage buildings, working alongside stonemasons and architects throughout New Zealand (i.e First Church of Dunedin, Olverston House, Lanarch Castle, Otago Boys High School and the Christchurch Bridge of Remembrance). During this time he developed his own style of contemporary abstract art, and his reputation as  a revivalist of traditional limestone sculpting grew internationally.
Choosing to move and open a gallery in Kaikoura (a South Island seaside settlement) his designs took on the flavour of the sea.Over the twelve years in Kaikoura his oceanic sculptures became highly sought after. Ian found the demand also grew for small "souvenir" sculptures so an appealing range for both tourists and the domestic market was designed. Many of Ian's commission sculptures stand in the foyers of a number of high profile stately home throughout New Zealand and overseas. Ian has recently moved back to Oamaru and opened a Gallery in the Historic Precinct where he can be viewed working his magic!!
 
Oamaru Limestone is thirty five to forty million years old and is formed of sand sized broyozan fragments with vast numbers of micro and larger fossils, ie- Penguins, Whalebones and Sharks Teeth. It is the purest Limestone in the world, and is well know for its therapeutic qualities.