Biography
Paul Dibble is arguably New Zealand’s most established bronze sculptor. After studying at Elam School of Fine Arts in Auckland under Lois White, Colin McCahon and Jim Allen, he graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture and has been perfecting his sculptural practice over the past 40 years. Dibble works primarily with bronze, but also experiments with corten steel and gilded gold.
Throughout his steadily developing career, Dibble’s works have ranged from small maquettes to monumental public sculptures. He has explored numerous themes including New Zealand history, Pacific mythologies, narratives of flora and fauna, and shapes and expressions of the human body. Stylistically, he has experimented with a range of forms, from playful and lyrical compositions through to geometric abstractions with forms reminiscent of Henry Moore and Henri Matisse.
In 2000, Paul Dibble was able to establish his own foundry in Palmerston North, where, with wife, business partner, artist and biochemist Fran Dibble, he has been able to employ a small team of art assistants and foundry technicians. Along with regular exhibitions and private commissions throughout the world, Paul Dibble’s sculptures have adorned a number of significant public places in New Zealand, including the Wellington waterfront, Te Manawa Art Gallery, The University of Waikato and The University of Otago. His work is held in public museums and galleries including Te Papa Tongarewa, Christchurch Art Gallery, The Dowse and The James Wallace Arts Trust.
In 2004, Dibble became a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit and in 2007 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Massey University in Palmerston North. Perhaps his most significant commission has been the New Zealand Memorial in Hyde Park Corner, London, which was officially opened in 2006 by the Prime Ministers of New Zealand and the United Kingdom and several members of the British royal family. This powerful sculpture entitled The Southern Stand incorporates a series of standing forms, lined up like a formation of crosses in the sky and gracefully adorned with motifs and icons representing New Zealand culture.
April, 2020