Ashburn

Ashburn is the husband and wife team of Dave and Megan Ashburn who create ingenious pencil artwork.

Originally developed by Dave over 12 years ago, the hand carving technique has been carefully and precisely honed to a fine art with both Dave and Megan now producing works under the name Ashburn.

Each carved pencil is handmade and unique, and assembled together to make words or sayings. Ashburn artworks have been recognised through a number of awards such as Committee’s Choice in the Taranaki Art Awards 2016, People’s Choice in the Riversdale Art Awards 2023, and finalist in the Parkin Drawing Prize 2024.

Renowned for their selection of humorous - sometimes on the nose, phrases, Ashburn create works which both delight and amaze.

In addition to works with their own chosen phrases, Ashburn undertake many commissions where clients choose their own words or sayings to be immortalised in pencil artwork. Enquire now about a commission.

Art by the River is a contemporary Whanganui fine art gallery, opened in December 2024. The gallery features a mix of emerging and established New Zealand artists, alongside an exclusive fine art Collectables selection of New Zealand fine art prints. As an art dealer and collector, we include rare and sought-after artworks by internationally recognised artists such as Gretchen Albrecht, Banksy, Damien Hirst, Ralph Hotere and Andy Warhol. We are committed to supporting NZ artists through a regular art exhibition in-house, connecting both NZ and international art collectors with meaningful artwork, and contributing to Whanganui's vibrant cultural landscape