Our History
LOOKING FORWARD AT THE PAST
The Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū Foundation's support of the Gallery builds upon a long legacy of giving in Ōtautahi Christchurch. In 1881, John Gibb’s Shades of Evening, the Estuary (1880) was the first work to enter the city's collection in a tangible expression of public generosity. A myriad of popular and important works have followed since then.
Curator Peter Vangioni looks at John Gibb’s Shades of Evening, the Estuary. Photo: John Collie
The Foundation today continues that legacy of generosity and philanthropy. It was formally established in 2014, and incorporates the collected works of the Canterbury Society of Arts, the CAG Artworks Trust (established in 1991 as the Christchurch Civic Art Gallery Trust) and the Christchurch Art Gallery Trust (established in 1999 as The New Gallery Trust). During the 1990s and early 2000s, as the Gallery outgrew the Robert McDougall Art Gallery, these trusts were responsible for raising capital for its future home, Te Puna o Waiwhetū.
In 2011, the Canterbury earthquakes presented an opportunity to regroup and set a new vision. Responding to a public desire for bold, visionary art, the Christchurch Art Gallery Foundation was established and embarked upon a series of successful public fundraising campaigns, the first of which was for Chapman's Homer by Michael Parekōwhai – the iconic 'bull on the piano'. At the same time, the Foundation launched its TOGETHER programme, harnessing the donations of individuals across the country to create a future-proof endowment fund.
The Foundation's enduring mission is to support the Gallery’s vision of a vibrant city celebrated for art, creativity, and diversity. Through its flagship TOGETHER programme and targeted fundraising activities, it provides a solid base of support whilst allowing Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū to be ever more ambitious.
MAJOR FUNDRAISING PROJECTS
Yona Lee Fountain in Transit 2024. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, commissioned by the Christchurch Art Gallery Foundation to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Gallery building; purchased with special thanks to Joanna Hickman, Charlotte and Marcel Gray, Janice Cowdy, Dame Adrienne Stewart and other generous individuals, 2024
Fountain in Transit
Yona Lee
2024
Bill Hammond Bone Yard Open Home, Cave Painting 4, Convocation of Eagles 2008. Purchased 2021 with assistance from Christchurch Art Gallery Foundation, Friends of Christchurch Art Gallery, Lyttelton Port Company, Mel and Marcel Brew, Paul and Dianne Chaney, Liz Collins, Brian and Jannie Gillman, Max and Margaret Luisetti, Alison and Ian O’Connell, Gabrielle Tasman and Ken Lawn, Three Lakes Cultural Trust, along with 97 other generous individuals
Bone Yard Open Home, Cave Painting 4, Convocation of Eagles
Bill Hammond
2021
Ron Mueck chicken / man 2019. Mixed media. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased 2019 by Christchurch Art Gallery Foundation with assistance from Catherine and David Boyer, Friends of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, Charlotte and Marcel Gray, Ben Gough Family Foundation, Jenny and Andrew Smith, Gabrielle Tasman and Ken Lawn, Christchurch Art Gallery Foundation’s London Club along with 514 other generous individuals and companies
chicken / man
Ron Mueck
2019
Cerith Wyn Evans Things are conspicuous in their absence... 2012. Neon. Christchurch Art Gallery Foundation Collection, purchased 2018 to mark the contribution of Jenny Harper on her retirement as director of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū; purchase supported by Ros and Philip Burdon, the Philip Carter Family, Rob and Sue Gardiner and the Chartwell Trust, Dame Jenny Gibbs, June Goldstein, Sonja and Glenn Hawkins, Julianne Liebeck, Stephen and Charlotte Montgomery, Jenny and Andrew Smith, Mike and Sue Stenhouse, Gabrielle Tasman, two anonymous donors, and a collective gift from the staff of Christchurch Art Gallery and Brown Bread
Things are conspicuous in their absence...
Cerith Wyn Evans
2018
Bridget Riley Cosmos 2016-17. Acrylic. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, acquired through the Christchurch Art Gallery Foundation with the generous help of Heather Boock; Ros Burdon; Kate Burtt; Dame Jenny Gibbs; Ann de Lambert and daughters, Sarah, Elizabeth, Diana, and Rachel; Barbara, Lady Stewart; Gabrielle Tasman; Jenny Todd; Nicky Wagner; and the Wellington Women’s Group (est. 1974)
Cosmos
Bridget Riley
2016–2017
Martin Creed Work No. 2314 2015. Neon. Commissioned by Christchurch Art Gallery Foundation, gift of Neil Graham (Grumps)
Work No. 2314
Martin Creed
2015
Bill Culbert Bebop 2013. Furniture, fluorescent tubes, electrical components, wire. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased with assistance from the Christchurch Art Gallery Trust and Gabrielle Tasman, 2014
Bebop
Bill Culbert
2014
Michael Parekōwhai Chapman’s Homer 2011. Bronze, stainless steel. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased 2013 with the assistance of Christchurch City Council through the Public Art Advisory Group, Christchurch Art Gallery Foundation and Westpac, IAG, Ben and Penny Gough, Chartwell Trust, Ravenscar Trust, Friends of Christchurch Art Gallery, Grant and Sandra Close, Dame Jenny Gibbs, Kevin and Joanna Hickman, Stewart and Nati Kaa, Tony Kerridge, McFadden family, Andrew and Jenny Smith, Chapman Tripp, Colliers, Meadow Mushrooms, MWH Ltd, Pace Project Management, The Press; and 1,074 other big-hearted individuals and companies
Chapman’s Homer
Michael Parekowhai
2013
Past Galas
Our annual gala dinner provides not only an evening of warmth, hospitality and friendship, but also a chance to raise money to make great art right here in our own Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Home Dinner, 2021
On Saturday 7 August, we hosted an elegant dinner in the Gallery to launch our artist in residency programme at Sutton House. The residency gives selected artists the time to reflect and undertake new research, make discoveries and create new work, all while immersed in a city that has inspired generations of artists. Blair Jackson’s vision to build a world-class residency programme reflects his commitment to help artists by providing opportunities and resources to undertake projects not possible without additional support.
Gala Dinner, 2023
The legendary Christchurch Art Gallery Foundation Gala Dinner returned for a night of exquisite dining, great company and Insta-worthy art experiences. Our May dinner celebrated us being in our building, Te Puna o Waiwhetū, for twenty years.
Bone Yard Dinner, 2020
On Saturday 7 November, we had an intimate dinner with 100 guests to help once again make something very special happen. Special thanks to our event partner Lyttelton Port Company for their generous support. This time the work that we added to the collection was painted right here in Ōtautahi by one of our finest artists, Bill Hammond.
GILT: A Golden Night to Remember, 2024
Fine dining powerhouse Ben Bayly and musical legend Don McGlashan joined us to raise funds to restore a very special piece of Gallery history: Petrus van der Velden's Burial in the Winter on the Island of Marken [The Dutch Funeral]. The money raised from our incredible supporters on the night allowed us to restore the historic gilded frame of this painting – a time-consuming and careful task that will ensure this work is enjoyed for generations to come.