Viewing Turf Through Paint

The enforced quiet of the last few months has had some benefits. Many around the country have turned their hand to the creation of art with their weapons of choice varying from paintbrushes to knitting needles. Perhaps it gives us a sense of progression, achievement, or is the meditation that comes with concentrating on a practical task reward enough? In the Easter holidays, instead of going to one of my best friend’s weddings (we were both in the Talbot together), I had some time to start a painting of the College.

The view of the school across Turf, through the avenue along the Kilometre, is one that will resonate with many, and I had been dying to paint it all year. The early morning light puts the College into an unmistakeable silhouette from this viewpoint. I wanted to capture the idea of the school without the closeups of red bricks or rooftop pineapples. It couldn’t be anywhere else, even with so little information actually painted. This term has asked questions about what Wellington College really is - you may not be physically close enough to read the graffiti in Back Quad, but even in virtual silhouette, the College is as present as ever.

Mr Wardlaw, Art teacher, OW (T)