Rocks and Butterfly, Rakaia River

Artwork

CreatorSmither, MichaelNameRocks and Butterfly, Rakaia RiverDate Made1971Medium DescriptionOil on board Object NumberLU016Dimensionsactual 612 x 366mm
Further information‘That aspect of life that we just trample over every bloody day without thinking about it was so important to me and still is.’
Michael Smither

During his early career Michael Smither completed a large series of rock pool paintings which established his reputation and direction as an artist. As in this work, viewpoints are often extremely low with rocks occupying most of the composition. The luminosity of surface in the works of this period are due to the meticulous building up of layers of paint. Smither completed multiple drawings which were then combined to produce the final work.

After studying at Elam School of Arts, University of Auckland (1959-60), Smither moved back to New Plymouth where he grew up. In 1970 he was awarded the Frances Hodgkins Fellowship and was based in Dunedin, during which time this work would have been conceived. He received the NZ Order of Merit in 2004 and continues to work as a full time artist in the Coromandel.
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Rocks and Butterfly, Rakaia River