Tony O’Grady, a seasoned artist from Christchurch, has been creating sculptures and paintings for over 25 years. His diverse mediums include stone, wood, clay, plaster, concrete, wax, and bronze.

What truly captivates Tony is the physicality of sculpting, especially carving. While he primarily focuses on figurative sculptures, he also delves into abstract pieces, drawing inspiration from renowned sculptors like Brancusi, Moore, and Noguchi.

The human figure serves as a profound and enduring subject of interest for Tony. He skillfully explores concepts of mass, weight, balance, and the interplay of positive and negative space, infusing his work with personal and spiritual meaning. Tony aspires to create powerful and monumental art that stands the test of time and critical examination. His ultimate desire is for his creations to embody uniqueness, individuality, and a sense of uplifting wonder.

“Carving timber, opening up the stone with hammer and chisel you become familiar in the knowledge of the materials, its geology; its growth; its inherent attributes. With this comes knowledge of the land you live in, Aotearoa / New Zealand, its geography; the landscape and its peoples, and to also be able to draw upon a history of New Zealand (and the whole world history of) sculpture is all influential and vital in the placing of my work in a New Zealand context.” – Tony O’Grady