Philipp Ripa was born in Starnberg, Germany in 1969 and migrated to New Zealand in 2003 with his wife and two young sons.
Philipp studied in Munich and especially enjoys the creative process involved in design and construction. His father an German Architect, Art collector and highly skilled in art restauration, influenced his life already in his young years. His mother an Czech actress from Prague promoted his frequent visits and studies to his most favourite cities such as Florenze, Prato Sornico, Vienna, Prague and many more.
In the early 1990s when graphic design merged to computer technologies, Philipp made his career running his own graphic studio along with an successful design store in central Munich. Later he started restoring historic buildings throughout Germany. Travelling to historic places, collecting art and artefacts, shaping and laminating, structure and architecture, photography and graphic design all became part of his creative life – a wealth of knowledge and experience to inform his art practice.
Philipp works across a diverse range of media, using sculpture, found objects, painting, plastering, design and build small to large structures.
More recently, Philipp has been involved in the construction of the Helena Bay Lodge as well as a key member in the design and construction of the Dotcom Mansion.
Philipp will have works in one of the eight houses on the Tour.
