B.

A 1935 reviewer described Ōtautahi Christchurch-born Rata Lovell-Smith as “known for a simple and direct treatment of landscape [and] practically the pioneer in this way of seeing and representing the Canterbury countryside”.Lovell-Smith’s pared back approach appears at least partially inspired by contemporary British travel posters, an area of design studied at the Canterbury College School of Art where she trained and later taught. As demonstrated in Hawkins, the application of such an influence was effective in representing the hard, crisp light of rural Canterbury. This work also points to future works by others connected to the school, including Louise Henderson, Rita Angus, Ivy Fife and Russell Clark.

(From Here on the Ground, 18 May – 17 November 2024)