Events › Craft Snippets: Gus Milne

Craft Snippets is a way to learn about artisan crafts from enthusiasts and experts who love to share. This month we will hear from Gus Milne.

Gus is a New Zealand born scrimshander based in Christchurch.

He became involved in ship modelling while living in the USA in the late 70’s winning several awards in multi-state competitions.

This led to an interest in the ‘whalers art’ of scrimshaw which he has practiced for more than 40 years, working entirely by hand, etching with a scalpel and a sharpened needle. He works on re-cycled ivory piano keys, extinct mammoth ivory and whale’s teeth, sourced sustainably.

His scrimshaw is displayed in New Zealand galleries and exhibitions. Gus has been the recipient of many awards. Here are a just a few of them:

Bayleys Arrowtown Autumn Arts - Millbrook Award - 2024

Malvern Community Arts Council - Survus Award - 2024

House of Travel/Rotary Artarama - ‘Best in Show’ 2024

Wanaka Art Exhibition Award - 2024

Come along to hear Gus speak about his craft and after the talk we will look at craft books new to the library as well as chat about what is happening or coming up craft wise in and around Canterbury. We look forward to seeing you here.