As the exhibition’s title suggests, The Full Spectrum is about colour.  The art works have been selected quite simply, on the basis of their strongest particular colour.  The arrangement of the works is also straightforward; they are displayed according to Isaac Newton’s  interpretation of the colour spectrum, this is red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.  White, the sum of all colours, and black, the absence of colour, are included for good measure.

The artists’ use of colour is often much more sophisticated than the love of a particular hue.  Colour is loaded with cultural meaning and can be used evocatively, to stimulate or describe emotion.  It can also be used to create optical or compositional effects.  Colour can also be appreciated merely for its own sake.

This exhibition introduces each spectral colour group with popular song titles.  These hint at some of the poetic associations we have with colours.  Colour quotes, sayings and anecdotes about the artists’ use of colour can be found on the accompanying labels and information files.

All the paintings in this exhibition are from The Suter’s collection and are by New Zealand and international artists.  The ceramics are all by New Zealand potters, the majority of whom are or were active in the Nelson/Tasman region.

Julie Catchpole

Exhibition Curator

Acknowledgements:

Mick Mason for design

Christine Boswijk, Caroline Early and Paul Winspear for the loan of their ceramics

The Nelson Mail for supporting the Summer Season of exhibitions at The Suter