Alan Gibbs (born 1939) is a New Zealand-born businessman, entrepreneur and art collector. After a successful business career in New Zealand, which made him one of that country's wealthiest individuals, he relocated to London in 1999. He retains strong links to New Zealand through his development of Gibbs Farm, one of the world's leading sculpture parks. He is the founder of Gibbs Amphibians, based in Detroit, Michigan, Nuneaton, UK, and Auckland, New Zealand, which pioneers high-speed amphibious vehicle technologies.
Alan Gibbs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1939 (age 84–85) Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Alma mater | Canterbury University (B.A., 1961) Victoria University of Wellington (M.A., Economics, 1962) |
| Occupation(s) | entrepreneur, businessman, art collector |
| Known for | Gibbs Amphibians, Gibbs Farm, SKY TV (New Zealand) |
| Spouse | Jennifer Gore (Dame Jenny Gibbs) |
| Children | Amanda, Debbi and Emma and one son Thane. |
| Parent(s) | Theodore Nisbet Gibbs Elsie Gibbs |
Early life
editAlan Gibbs was born in Christchurch, the son of Theodore Nisbet Gibbs and Elsie Gibbs.[1]
New Zealand business career
editGibbs went to London in 1963 as Third Secretary in the New Zealand High Commission, returning to New Zealand in 1965 to work in the Prime Minister's department.[2]
Art and sculpture collection at Gibbs Farm
editGibbs is one of New Zealand's leading art collectors, and since 1991 has been establishing a sprawling 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) sculpture park at Gibbs Farm,[3][4] which is located on Kaipara Harbour on New Zealand's North Island, 50 kilometres (31 mi) north of Auckland in the Rodney district.
Among the art works installed on The Farm are monumental pieces by contemporary artists including Daniel Buren, Neil Dawson, Marijke de Goey, Andy Goldsworthy, Anish Kapoor, George Rickey, Richard Serra and Bernar Venet.[5][6]
Honours and awards
editIn 2018, Gibbs was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.[7]
References
edit- ^ Goldsmith, Paul (2002). TN Gibbs. Auckland: David Ling.
- ^ Goldsmith, Paul (2012). Serious Fun: the life and times of Alan Gibbs. Auckland: Random House. ISBN 978-978-1-86979-2.
- ^ "Gibbs Farm official website". 2010. Archived from the original on 19 September 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
- ^ Haseeb (4 August 2012). "Sculpture in the Gibbs Farm". VentureBees. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
- ^ "The Incredible Sculptures of Gibbs Farm". Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
- ^ "The Farm" Archived 1 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine by Rob Garrett - retrieved 15 January 2015
- ^ "Past laureates". Business Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
Books and media
edit- "Seeing the Landscape: Richard Serra's Te Tuhirangi Contour", documentary film by Alberta Chu, 2003.
- "New Form at the Farm: Anish Kapoor's Dismemberment Site 1", documentary film by Alberta Chu, 2010.
- Serious Fun: The Life and Times of Alan Gibbs by Paul Goldsmith; ebook; Random House New Zealand; 3 August 2012; ASIN B008P61LU4, ISBN 9781869799304
External links
edit
- Gibbs Farm – website with photos of artwork
- Gibbs Amphibians
- Gibbs Sports Amphibians, information about vehicles
- The Incredible Sculptures of Gibbs Farm - photos and text of Gibbs Farm art
- "Sunday Extras: Alan Gibbs feature". Television New Zealand.
- A Great Day Out at the Farmmany photos, articles about the Farm and its art and open house event
- "Culture Republic". Archived from the original on 24 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link), large photos of large art at the Farm - Farm Directory, brochure with information about art works