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Published by Communications and Development
The story of William A Sutton, the prominent New Zealand artist, academic, gardener, bon vivant and friend to many, is recounted through his own writings and mementoes in a newly published book from Canterbury University Press.
Bill’s Story: A portrait of WA Sutton is the work of Christchurch-based artist and author Pat Unger who spent four years working on the biography, drawing on archival material held at the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna O Waiwhetu and her own recollections of Sutton.
Sutton (1917-2000), a leading New Zealand artist, was a graduate of the Canterbury College School of Art (now the University of Canterbury’s School of Fine Arts) who is best-known for his depictions of the Canterbury landscape. He taught at his alma mater for 30 years from 1949 and was made a Companion of the British Empire for services to art in 1980.
Mrs Unger, one of Sutton’s many former students from his time at Canterbury, was inspired to write Bill’s Story after a major retrospective of his work was held to mark the opening of the new Christchurch Art Gallery in 2003.
“The retrospective was such a great exhibition, a grand show. I think everyone there had to agree Bill wielded a mighty brush but there was also a lot of speculation about Bill, both informed and uninformed, so I thought I’d like to record what kind of person Bill really was,” she said.
Guided by Sutton’s archival material, which is held in 20 boxes and a crate in the library of the Christchurch Art Gallery, Bill’s Story paints a portrait of the man behind the art — of Sutton as a son, brother, student, academic, friend, traveller and keen gardener.
“Bill kept all the things that were important to him so what I’ve tried to do is tell the story of Bill from Bill’s point of view, from all the things he saved during his lifetime. I wanted Bill’s slant on Bill’s life,” she said.
Bill’s Story also stems from a previous book Mrs Unger wrote in collaboration with Sutton, WA Sutton: Painter, published in 1994.
Mrs Unger is a Christchurch-based artist, art critic and author. She studied graphic design at Christchurch Polytechnic and fine arts at the University of Canterbury before becoming a practising artist and art critic.
Bill’s Story was launched at the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna O Waiwhetu on 12 March.
For further information please contact:
Stacey Doornenbal
Publicist
Canterbury University Press
Ph (03) 364 2987 ext 3809
stacey.doornenbal@canterbury.ac.nz