Bing Dawe b. 1952

Bing Dawe (born North Otago, 1952) is acknowledged as one of New Zealand’s most prominent sculptors.  His work is strongly driven by a deep concern for the environment and the human impact on it, especially to creatures often overlooked, like eels, small fish or birds – that are thought to be common or safe from threat.

“This image of fish in trees resonated with me and became the catalyst for my first fish-in-trees series titled “Toward Repair”. I’m now some 40 works later and into my 4th series, all of which explore the inter-relation of trees, waterways, estuaries, wetlands, fish, birds and the related flora and fauna of each.”

 

Dawe graduated from the University of Canterbury, Ilam School of Fine Arts in the mid 1970s, and has exhibited extensively throughout New Zealand and overseas.  He has had well over forty solo exhibitions, including a major survey exhibition at the Robert McDougall Art Gallery in Christchurch in 1999. Dawe has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Wallace Visa Gold Award in 1999.

 

Dawe has exhibited in ARTIS Gallery as a member of the Medal Artists of New Zealand Group since 2017 and has been represented by the Gallery since 2023.