An Italian Sojourn

Watercolours, Diaries and Letters of W.A.Sutton

Edited - Pat Unger
Wily Publications Ltd. - $49.99


In the history of New Zealand art the name of W.A. (Bill) Sutton looms large. His national recognition has been achieved through his emblematic landscapes, fine portraits and educational and administrative abilities.
Bill’s record of Italy’s famed attractions expressed in his watercolour sketches, is unique in this country, Each work goes beyond scenes of pictorial charm and nostalgia – the touristic view in fact – collectively they tell the viewer that every vista has been captured by the eye, the hand, the knowledge and artistic spirit of Sutton.

William Alexander Sutton (Bill) was born in Christchurch of English and Irish stock – pioneering people of the late 19th century who shared the typical values of the day; hard work, duty to family, rejection of class and respect for education and the sciences. As a student – primary, secondary and tertiary – he won many academic and art related awards and over years, his skill in calligraphy was shown by the production of several beautifully illuminated books, enhanced with jewelled, gilded and enamelled illustrations.
Bill’s art instruction owed much to European traditions and when the chance came to study in England, in 1947-8, and later to take Sabbatical leave from his teaching position at the University of Canterbury’s School of fine Arts in 1973-4, he lost no time in making the most of those opportunities. His sabbatical – “300 days of freedom” – was spent by choice in Italy. It proved to be one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.
As a lecturer, one of Bill’s favourite periods was the Renaissance, both Early and Late. His abiding wish was to visit Rome, Florence, Arezzo, Ravenna, Assisi, Urbino and in particular, that city of watery haze and light, Venice. And so he did.
Bill’s itinerary in Italy was carefully prepared. Spurning lens-and-shutter technology, he took notebooks, diaries and painting equipment. Already committed to the Renaissance ideas of aesthetic harmony and correct proportion, his water-colours exemplify an Italian sensibility. And his diaries, full of brief, witty and informative comments, describe through daily activities, his enduring enthusiasm for all things Italian.
While in Italy, Bill painted a great number of watercolour sketches on paper, including some frottage work done in museums, particularly in Rome and the Vatican. Apart from a few works given as gifts to friends, Bill donated the rest (approximately 110) to the Christchurch Art Gallery for their collection. His personal papers, diaries, and letters are in the gallery’s archives.

About the author:
Pat Unger was born in the Waikato and shifted south to Christchurch with her family in 1967. In 1975-76 she was a student at Christchurch Polytech and after completing the two-year full time Graphic Design course, attended the University of Canterbury, gaining a Diploma of Fine Arts (Painting) in 1979. Since then she has exhibited in solo, group, invited and travelling shows.From 1986 to 1993, she was art critic (and senior art critic) for The Press, art commentator for Art New Zealand and Preview, journal of the Canterbury Society of Arts, CSA, now the Centre of Contemporary Art, CoCA, Christchurch. In addition to this latest title she also wrote W.A.Sutton, painter in 1994 and Bill's Story - a portrait of W.A.Sutton in 2008(CUP).

Above information about book and author from the publisher.

Footnote:

I have long admired Bill Sutton's work, have seen two marvellous exhibitions of his work, and I read Pat Unger's Bill's Story with great interest in 2008 when it was published by Canterbury University Press. This new book is a real gem. It contains 80 wonderful reproductions of Sutton's paintings all taken from the collection at the Christchurch Art Gallery along with fascinating diary entries and excerpts of letters from his 1973-74 Italian visit. The book is a must-have for all of his admirers.
I reviewed this title earlier today on Radio New Zealand National with Kathryn Ryan on Nine to Noon..