A.R. FRASER SCULPTOR
FINDING A.R. FRASER
When this project began in 2017, we were doubtful of finding much of Fraser's work given that so much time had passed since his studio closed. However, in the course of our search we have located family members, former students and more work than we expected. There is still much sculpture that remains in private hands which we would like to locate and photograph.
Overview
A.R. Fraser was one of the most prolific sculptors of his time in New Zealand. Sculpting busts of celebrated political figures, artists and writers of his day, he still found time to create considerable public / municipal work for Wellington including extensive work on the Centennial Exhibition of 1940.
Study at the Royal College of Art with Eduoard Lanteri 1908 -10
Edouard Lanteri was Professor of Modelling at the Royal College of Art from 1900 until 1910. Among his students were Albert Toft, Alfred Gilbert and Charles Sargent Jagger.
His books are still in print today, regarded as the only comprehensive text on modelling and casting sculpture.
In the forward to the original publication his fellow sculptor Auguste Rodin, acknowledges his friend Lanteri as "Dear Master".
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1910 -1937
The London Years
Goscombe-John and the years following WWI
War Memorials
Amiens Cathedral plaque
Le Quesnoy Memorial
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At work on the bust of Gillie Potter, 1930's Music Hall performer of London Palladium Theater
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Return to New Zealand
In 1937 Fraser returns to Wellington Technical College, teaching sculpture alongside Fred Ellis and Nelson Issac.
Wellington Technical College Staff
Tech student modeling planar figure
Fred Ellis's drawing of Fraser at school
The Lambton Quay Studio
Portrait of Fraser by Leonard Mitchell
Municipal works
FRASER'S LEGACY
During his years at Wellington Technical College, Fraser taught a generation of New Zealand artists who we remember as a diverse yet formative group. Among familiar names are Guy Ngan, John Drawbridge, Len Mitchell, Sam Cairncross, Bruce McAllum, George Packwood, Don Neilson, Alan Collins, Bill Hopkins, Albert Wong, Stewart McLennan, Jim Gawn, Cynthia Alexander, Roger Harrison, Reg Waghorn, Helen Hitchins, George Woods, E. Mervyn Taylor, John Magurk, Florence Luxford, Don Ramage, Shona McFarlane, Sidney & Avis Higgs, Diane Rapley, Allan & Frank Mitchell, and Pat Fry.
Municipal Work
