Chrystabel Aitken

Chrystabel Laurene McArthur (née Aitken, 1904 – 15 January 2005) was a versatile New Zealand artist. Her works are held in museums and galleries in New Zealand.

Career Chrystabel Aitken spent her early years on a farm in Southland, New Zealand. Recognising her artistic abilities her family moved to Christchurch so that she could attend the Canterbury College School of Art. Beginning her studies in 1921, her tutors included Francis Shurrock and James Alexander Johnstone. While at the college she received several scholarships for modelling, including the School medal for "Special Excellence in Modelling" in 1925. Following her graduation Aitken was also a tutor at the School of Art,

Works by Aitken include: Horses and Riders and A Bull. the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts and the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition. an informal art association from Christchurch, New Zealand, formed to provide a freer alternative to the Canterbury Society of Arts. She contributed works to multiple exhibitions by including in: 1937; 1947; 1948; 1949; 1950; 1951; 1952; 1953; 1955; 1956; 1957.

The University of Canterbury holds a large public collection of art works by Aitken, with many pieces donated by the artist's family.

Personal life Aitken was married to Gordon McArthur.