Jon Tootill, Raumati I, 2023. Acrylic on canvas, 140 x 120cm. Courtesy: the artist and Sanderson Contemporary, Auckland.

Sanderson Contemporary presents work by Jon Tootill (Ngāi Tahu, Pākehā) in Te tae o te Raumati / The Colours of Summer – an exhibition of six paintings and six watercolour studies.

In this new body of work the artist has found inspiration from an assortment of weaving and plaiting work from different iwi. After creating several watercolour studies the artist has developed the shapes that remain present in each piece; creating optical illusions with strong elements of colour.

New Zealand art historian Michael Dunn notes:

“By searching for his roots in his Maori heritage and view of the natural world in art and life [Tootill] has found a personal space full of feeling and visual meaning.”

“Focusing on Raumati (summer), Tootill has drawn inspiration from the hues of the flora and fauna surrounding him. The artist uses Adobe Capture software on his mobile phone to convert photographs he has taken of leaves, trees, and other natural elements into segments of coloured rectangle – from which he then selects his palette. “Drawing from his Māori heritage, Tootill presents engaging interpretations of traditional lattice work and raranga (weaving) in some paintings, whilst in others, inspiration from whakairo (carving) can be recognised,” says gallery manager Lydia Cowpertwait. Hailed as a master of contemporary geometric abstraction and compared with New Zealand masters Gordon Walters and Theo Schoon, the exhibition will lay bare the precision and lucidity of Tootill’s imagery.” – Art Collector, issue 104.

Follow this artist