Jon Tootill

Tootill has been celebrated as a master of contemporary geometric abstraction in Aotearoa[1]; the precision and lucidity of the artist’s imagery being compared with New Zealand masters Gordon Walters and Theo Schoon. This exhibition is an exciting continuation of the artist’s practice and exploration into the seasonal colours in Aotearoa’s...

Building on previous botanical inspired series Jon Tootill has now expanded his attention. His 2022 exhibition Whakamoe Tau, features a pou species. Perhaps however the exhibition is less about that tree, than it is about the observed effects of that rakau through time. Tootill appears to be more engrossed by...

KAHUKURA, BETTER BICULTURALISM The hero painting for Jon Tootill’s upcoming exhibition at Sanderson Contemporary is a full-spectrum colour study. Piwakawaka (2010-2020) completes a decade-long series that studies the rau, or plumage, of native birds through colour sampling. Tootill’s works act like an index, mapping colours found in nature. He selects...

‘Rau’ from the exhibition ‘Pure Forns and Cultural Narratives’ ( COCA 2O10 ) is inspired by whakario (carving) and the rau (plumage) of individual native birds which also title the individual works. In ‘Haekaro’ from the exhibition ‘Tanikoniko’ ( Nga Tohu o Uenuku 2017 ) the works are tukutuku influenced...

Simon Kaan's work show a new direction for the artist, working in washes of coloured ink, the circular landscapes are dreamlike. The works feature Kaan's signature signature iconography and split horizon lines. Jon Tootill’s practice is informed by pattern and colour. Drawing inspiration from raranga (weaving /plaiting), tukutuku (wall-panel weaving)...

Jon Tootill’s practice is informed by pattern and colour. Drawing inspiration from raranga (weaving /plaiting), tukutuku (wall-panel weaving) and whakairo (carving), Tootill creates beautifully paired-back patterns that often mimic repetitive forms found in nature. The patterns, or raranga and tukuruku, have a specific name or dialogue relating to their use...

Kākāpo (Night Parrot) The colours of each painting do not refer to the colours of vegetation or birds as in previous works but more to the music of people such as Fats Domino, or Howard Morrison and Gerry Merito of the Howard Morrison Quartet, who were popular in the 1950/60’s....

This exhibition brings together the work of Simon Kaan and Jon Tootill, two artists of Ngāi Tahu descent whose bicultural art-based research engages with the unique artistic ecology of Aotearoa. Art’s agency within cultural revival is central to Simon Kaan’s understanding of his position as an artist. Kaan possesses a...