About Raymond Herber

Raymond was born in Christchurch in 1971 and is one of seven children of Dutch immigrant parents. His passion for creating mechanical gadgets, such as attaching a lawnmower engine to the back of his bicycle, started when his father died in 1982. Following his death Raymond inherited his father’s basement shed and tools. The shed and its contents became his sanctuary and out of that developed a keen interest in engineering, more so than for his schoolwork. Many a maths and English lesson was spent inventing the latest go-cart projects that were trialled on the steep streets of Lyttelton, much to the horror of residents and local police. Raymond couldn’t wait to leave school and did so at 17.

He worked in a number of engineering workshops over the subsequent two years and then started working for himself using the skills gained and pennies saved. His interests soon moved from straight lines and right angles to more organic forms that he began to create from steel. By 21, Raymond had his first exhibition of steel work, featuring gates, wine racks, candle holders and mirrors, all crafted in a unique style that he has continued to develop and refine over the years.

Raymond’s work has included a number of commissions, the most notable of which can be seen in Te Papa museum in Wellington, Cathedral Junction in Christchurch and a number of works for the Christchurch City Council. In more recent years he has sold sculptures to private buyers throughout the country.

Raymond currently lives in North Canterbury with his partner Sue and their

two children.

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