PROVENANCE

Collection of the late Courtney & Doreen Shearer, Christchurch

EXHIBITED

Paintings by W A Sutton, Library at the School of Engineering, University of Canterbury, December 1968 - February 1969

Nearing the Lake is a fine example of Bill Sutton's work. Executed prior to the artist's formal forays into abstraction in the 1970s, this is a rare example of Sutton's painting wherein the spirit of regional painting is married with a raw, abstracted treatment of the landscape.

Upon considering Nearing the Lake, the viewer is immediately confronted by the force and boldness of the delineated forms through which Sutton has composed a striking geometric synthesis of field, road and sky. There is a certain subtle beauty in what this minimalistic work implies: the amorphous fluidity of clouds breathe movement and wind onto the canvas' atmosphere; the work's titular promise of a lake seems to lie just beyond the horizon. All in all, this work is an elemental expression of the land, wherein perspective and reality have been flattened and reduced to attain a certain point of abstraction. In deliberately prioritising form and structure, Sutton has strengthened the force of his relationship with his local landscape, affording it an almost transcendental value. It is important to note the significance of this painting within the context of Sutton's oeuvre and stylistic development. Having been trained in a classical, academic style of painting and become respected as one of those artists spearheading regional landscape painting in New Zealand, Sutton's works were traditionally representative of a certain conventionality of style. Nearing the Lake is unique in that it previews the artist's shift to a more spiritual, abstracted relationship with the Cantabrian landscape, which he had come to view through fresh eyes following his return from London.

The Canterbury Society of Arts Gallery's Group Show 66 (29 October - 13 November 1966) exhibited a number of significant works from members of the Christchurch Group including Rita Angus, Colin McCahon, Pat Hanly and Leo Bensemman. Towards the Lake was the second-highest valued work in this show. It was subsequently exhibited at the University of Canterbury as part of an exhibition of Sutton's paintings, where it was acquired by the present owner.