Debbie was born in Tasmania and has aboriginal ancestry. She moved permanently to New Zealand in her twenties and has been sculpturing since 1999. She works...

Debbie was born in Tasmania and has aboriginal ancestry. She moved permanently to New Zealand in her twenties and has been sculpturing 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 . 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 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, Bluestone (Basalt) has me in ‘its grip’ at the moment. 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. Debbie Templeton-Page : Things of note over the years: 2002 Selected for inclusion in the ‘Cleveland Living Arts’, in Dunedin. 2003 Merit Award from South Canterbury Arts Society, Aigantighe Art Gallery, Timaru. 2003 St Mary’s Church, sculpture ‘Peace’ [Lime Stone]. 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. 2005 Merit Award from South Canterbury Arts Society, Aigantighe Art Gallery, Timaru. 2005 First Prize in the Waimate Art Society Exhibition, Waimate. 2006 Timaru District Council for the entrance of the new office building, sculpture ‘Destiny ‘[Bluestone]. 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’. 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. Placed at the top of the main street of Timaru town,over looking Caroline Bay. 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 ‘WHIPSPERS OF ANGELS’ for St Marys Church ,Timaru 2009 Guest artist, Trust Aoraki Art Awards, Aigantighe Art Gallery. 2010 Guest artist, A.S.A. 46th 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. 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) 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. 2013 Bluestone Lady Sculpture presented to Lady Mateparae for Government House by Major Janie Annear. 2013 Joint Exhibition “Nature’s Trails” with Galina Kim at Bryce Gallery, Christchurch