St Paul's Collegiate School is excited to unveil a sculpture commissioned by Paul Dibble to celebrate 60 years of the school and 40 years of Tihoi Venture School.

Paul Dibble started making his works of art in a make-shift workshop in the shed at the end of his property in the late 1970s. From here his career gained momentum, he moved to an industrial warehouse in the mid-1990s before establishing his own foundry in 2000. Since then Paul Dibble has cast his work with the help of a small team of highly skilled assistants - one of very few New Zealand sculptors to cast their own bronze works.

St Paul's Collegiate School is excited to unveil a sculpture commissioned by Paul Dibble to celebrate 60 years of the school and 40 years of Tihoi Venture School.

The sculpture of a student coming out of a tent reflects the change and transition of adolescent boys and girls into adulthood through their education experience at St Paul’s Collegiate School. It is also symbolic of St Paul, who changed and transitioned from the persecutor of Christians Saul, to Paul the champion.

The artist’s use of a tent was inspired by the architectural vision behind St Paul’s Collegiate School chapel. The Chapel was deliberately designed in the shape of a Middle Eastern tent reflecting that students don’t stay long, they ‘pitch’ their tent and after their time at school, they move on.

The essence of adolescence is captured through the figure looking awkward and confused. This represents the time when adolescents are beginning to work things out for ourselves, by not only creating and having new experiences but also interpreting them as they approach adult hood. Quite simply, it represents the story of childhood to adulthood through the uncertainty and excitement of adolescence.

We welcome you to join us as we officially unveil the sculpture with Paul and Fran Dibble on Monday 14 October, 8:30 am, followed by tea and coffee.

There will be a school chapel service at 8.00am prior to the unveiling, which you are also welcome to attend.

Please RSVP to Andrea on a.harper@stpauls.school.nz or 027 603 7260.