Dimensions: support: 1372 x 1372 mm
Copyright: © Philip Sutton | CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Curator: Here we have Philip Sutton’s large square painting, "The Tree," held in the Tate collection. What are your initial thoughts on this canvas? Editor: An explosion of color! It’s almost overwhelming, yet incredibly joyful. The tree seems to vibrate with life force, doesn't it? A universal symbol of growth and endurance. Curator: Indeed. Sutton's vibrant palette and energetic brushstrokes challenge conventional landscape painting. It reflects a shift away from realism, influenced by post-war abstraction. Editor: Absolutely. The tree, in art history, often represents the connection between heaven and earth. And here, the mosaic of colors—red, yellow, blue—feels almost like a stained glass window. Curator: It is also hard to ignore the socio-political context. The painting rejects the somber tones often associated with the era, embracing optimism and renewal through vibrant color. Editor: It makes you think about the symbolism that has been attached to trees for centuries. It represents family, connecting to your roots and growing upwards. Curator: An interesting point. And it’s interesting how Sutton uses this very traditional subject matter to convey a sense of freedom and experimentation. Editor: Yes, it's a refreshing, life-affirming take on such a timeless symbol. It really sparks one's interest in the ways artists approach imagery over time.
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Philip Sutton paints figures and landscapes. He studied at the Slade School of Art, London, from 1949 to 1953 and was awarded a French State scholarship in 1952. He had his first solo show in London in 1956 and won prizes at the John Moores Liverpool Exhibition in 1957 and 1963. In that year he went to live in the Fiji Islands for eleven months with his wife and four small children and since then he has been known for his bright colour harmonies. In the 1950s and 1960s he lived in Snape, near Aldeburgh in Suffolk, and this is where 'The Tree' was painted. 'The Tree' depicts a fruit tree with its spring blossom in the artist's garden, and it was first exhibited in 1958 under the title of 'Spring'. Gallery label, September 2004
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