Chen the ancient Chinese Warrior is a living sculpture based on a Ming Dynasty sculpture in the Aigantighe collection. In 2007 he featured in the globalmuseum.org - a European web-based magazine.

About the Aigantighe Art Museum

Aigantighe Art Museum in Timaru is well-known internationally for its unusual, dynamic and innovative programmes. It holds the South Island's third largest public art museum collection.

Aigantighe (pronounced 'egg and tie') Art Gallery means 'at home' in Scottish Gaelic. Founded as a public art museum in 1956 the mansion on Wai-iti Road, was given to Timaru by the Grant family.

Aigantighe's rich permanent collection includes paintings by Frances Hodgkins, Goldie, van der Velden and Colin McCahon. It holds regional, national and international exhibitions.

The international sculpture garden features sculptures by New Zealand, Japanese, and African artist and is always open. An innovative and very dynamic school holiday programme includes art hunts, Arty the Art Car and historic painting dress-ups (a New Zealand museum first). Children can visit with Tane the Tuatara and Chen the ancient Chinese Warrior who is a living sculpture.

For more information about the Aigantighe Art Gallery visit the official council website:

To view the Aigantighe Brochure click here

Below many of the sculptures that feature in the Aigantighe Sculpture Garden. - Photography courtesy of Geoff Cloake.

About Dr Fiona Ciaran - Museum Innovator !

Aigantighe Art Gallery in Timaru has a highly creative Director who has put it on the international map and most recently Aigantighe featured in an article in the UK Museums' Journal (Feb 2007).

Fiona networks with artists, museums, collectors in New Zealand and overseas to curate unique exhibitions for Aigantighe. She has also pioneered education programme's which were the first of their kind for New Zealand museums such as historic painting replica costumes, an Art Car outreach vehicle, living sculptures, colour animals and puppets which create a 'museum within a museum' and touch paintings and sculptures for visually impaired visitors.

The Friends are truly lucky to be working with Fiona to help support and enhance the gallery. She is a true asset to Timaru!

She's also prepared to dress up for a good cause