Photographer pays tribute to late busker AJ Hickling
Queenstown-based photographer Senga Glacier has unveiled a poignant tribute to the late beloved busker AJ Hickling.
The heartfelt tribute includes a moving music video and an exclusive six-minute interview with the legendary street performer.
“Given that the interview was conducted in October 2022, it’s a huge weight off my shoulders [to release it],” Glacier said. “I finally fulfilled my promise to him.”
Hickling died from pancreatic cancer on December 29 – three months after being diagnosed. He was 47.
Glacier was commissioned to photograph Hickling and took more than 1000 pictures of him playing in various outdoor settings around the country.
“AJ was constantly on the move. I trailed him and captured shots of him playing the piano against those most stunning backdrops of New Zealand’s landscape.”
Glacier was “upset and shocked” by Hickling’s death. “After he was diagnosed, we met in Queenstown, and he briefly asked about the progress of the films.
“I told him I’d require more time due to a few technical glitches. He didn’t rush me at all, or talk about his diagnosis. He [was] always easygoing and laid-back ... a typical Kiwi.
“But I knew he wanted to watch it.”
With his distinc- tive dreadlocks and wheeled piano, Hick- ling played his own classical pieces in fields, on beach- es, around the Tasman district, and for many years in Queenstown.
He was living with his partner, Freja, and their young family in Westport before he died.
Hickling learned music as a child in Christchurch and played in bands, at festivals, and on the street busking.
He also recorded videos and sold over 10,000 CDs.
For some years he played on a piano he rescued from a rubbish dump and fixed up.
“AJ holds a special place in the memories of many tourists in Queenstown ... he was always there,” Glacier said.
There were a couple of rumours about Hickling and his music – the most popular was that he played piano on the streets and in nature for his deceased lover.
“That’s not true, but people like a romantic story with a sad ending,” Glacier said.
“I finally fulfilled my promise to him.”
Senga Glacier
Photographer