Paul Dibble

Paul Dibble was born in1943 and raised on a farm in Waitakaruru, his early education occurring at Thames High School. Having shown an early talent for drawing and with guidance from his family Paul chose to further his education in the arts. He trained at the Elam School of Fine Art at the University of Auckland graduating in 1967 with a Diploma of Fine Arts with Honours in Sculpture. Knowing that making a living in the arts in the 1960's would be a struggle he accepted a post as lecturer in painting and sculpture at the Palmerston North College of Education. He started exhibiting his works from the early 1970's but it wasn’t until a decade later that recognition of his works made it possible to turn his craft into a full time career though he continued as lecturer in the arts at Massey University until 2002 and later in 2007 received an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts from the University. Pauls large scale sculptures can be found in many centres around New Zealand from Otago, Wellington and Napier but his most recognised commission is The New Zealand Hyde Park Corner Memorial in London. Paul Dibble was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the arts in the 2005 New Year Honours.