George Riddell started sculpting seriously in 1981, when he and his wife Jude lived in Dunedin. His first works used copper and Oamaru stone. His first exhibition at The Moray Gallery in 1983 was a sell out and he continued sculpting in Oamaru stone which readily sold through the Moray Gallery and Sir Ron Scott’s galleries in Auckland and Christchurch.

Jim Mora fronted a local television programme and filmed a documentary of his sculpture at his and Jude’s home. The programme caused a huge increase in local and international demand for his work. Sir Robert Jones became a patron and invested in sculptures for his family and friends. He also commissioned larger works for the foyer of his Southern Cross Hotel in Dunedin and Eagle Technology House in Wellington.

In the late 80’s he returned full time to his profession as an Engineer, and later as an advisor at Business NZ with the last nine years of his career in Parliament as an advisor in the Key Government.

George and Jude both stepped back from full time employment and moved to Greytown in 2019 and in 2020 built a studio – “The Greytown Gallery” next to their home. 

He prepared 10 Oamaru stone works for an exhibition in 2023 which were first viewed at their home when they participated in the Aratoi Art and Architecture Tour in late May.

Subsequently his latest works are for sale from the Muse Gallery in Havelock North, and he is currently working on a large outdoor commission while preparing a piece for the Wairapa Art Review in December this year.