Guy Ngan is a significant New Zealand artist, and has a range of work across a large range of media, including sculpture, painting, drawing, design and architecture. He is known for his incorporation of Māori motifs such as the tiki. Many of his works are in prominent places like the tapestry at the beehive and sculpture at the Reserve Bank, and many others are dotted around the country in obscure places like the entrance to Stokes Valley.
Guy Ngan was born in Wellington in 1926, to Chinese parents, but calls himself "Pacific Chinese". He spent time in China before returning to New Zealand and then studying art in London. He has been a significant presence in the New Zealand art scene, and was director of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts from 1976 to 1986. In 2006 a major retrospective of his work was held at the Wellington City Art Gallery. As of 2010 Guy Ngan lives in Stokes Valley and has lived in the valley for approximately 50 years. Guy Ngan created the sculpture that resides at the entrance to Stokes Valley and has recently been commissioned by the Lower Hutt City Council to design and build another large sculpture for the Stokes Valley shopping centre.