Josh Olley

Known primarily for his stunning work carved from stone, Joshua Olley creates works expressing his ethical and environmental values. Born in New Plymouth in 1972, he moved to Wanaka in 1995 and taught himself to carve, gradually working up to large scale stone sculpture. 

His passion for larger stone sculpture developed naturally as his ability in carving evolved. Olley particularly favours argillite stone for its hard and durable quality, and for its tactility and ability to hold a fine edge and detail. 

Joshua Olley was an Arts Gold Award finalist in 2015 and 2017, and exhibited in Sculpture on the Shore in Devonport in 201 4 & 2018 and Sculpture on the Peninsula in 2015 and 2017. His work is held in collections here and overseas, including Te Papa and the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and has been exhibited at private and public galleries throughout New Zealand. 

2019 – Heads nor Tails, on display outside ARTIS Gallery, Parnell

2018 – Selected and exhibited ‘Fist that knew’ as an outdoor piece in NZ Sculpture on Shore
Won people’s choice award
2017 – Selected and exhibited as art gold award finalist, Alexandra
Selected and exhibited at Sculpture on the Peninsula, Christchurch
2016 – Participated and received top selling price at Te kupenga international stone sculpting symposium
Group Sculpture show at Parnell Gallery
Solo exhibition at Forrester Gallery Oamaru Oct 22 -11 Dec
Selected and exhibited at New Zealand Sculpture Onshore
2015 – This Is The Day, NKB Gallery
Selected as an Arts Gold Award Finalist
Selected and exhibited in Sculpture on the Peninsula Christchurch
Three D, Gallery Thirty Three
2014 – Solo exhibition, Fruit of the faults at Aigantighe Gallery (Timaru Public Art Gallery)
Received arts grant from Creative NZ
Selected and exhibited at New Zealand Sculpture on Shore, Devonport
2008 – Object in mind Gallery, Gallery Thirty Three