Cranleigh Barton Drawing Award

"I have always seen drawing not as the exercise of a particular skill, but above all as a means of expression of ultimate feelings and states of mind."
Henri Matisse

The art of drawing is often perceived as somehow less than other classical art forms, little more than a preliminary sketch or preparatory study limited to shades of black and grey. However, it was during the High Renaissance that wealthy collectors began acquiring the sketches and drawings of exceptional artists, recognising that these works on paper were not just significant in understanding the creative process, but had value that went beyond this. There is a quality to drawing that cannot be replicated in any other medium, and as such the art of drawing has grown in status. The variety of works on paper collected in galleries and museums around the world is great, and includes graphite, pen and ink, crayon, charcoal, chalk, pastel and watercolour.

The Cranleigh Barton Drawing Award is one of New Zealand's most prestigious drawing competitions. Established in 1993 to recognise excellence in drawing and to raise its status within visual arts education and practice, this biennial award is made possible through the legacy of Canterbury watercolourist Cranleigh Barton (1890-1975), and is jointly presented by the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, the Canterbury Museum and the executors of Cranleigh Barton's estate, Guardian Trust Financial Services Ltd.

Previous recipients of the Award have been artists Michael Dell, Nigel Buxton, Richard Lewer, Lorraine Webb, Ruth Cleland and John Mitchell.

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Cranleigh Barton (1890-1975)

Cranleigh Barton was a lawyer by training but he had a life-long interest in art. Born in Feilding in the North Island, at age 16 he began taking art classes at Wellington Technical College. Barton later attended Victoria University of Wellington, graduating with a Bachelor of Law degree in 1912. He went on to balance his practice as a solicitor with part-time activity as an artist.

After moving to Christchurch in 1919, Barton exhibited with the Canterbury Society of Arts and the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts. In 1924 he moved to England and studied at the Slade School of Fine Arts in London. While in England Barton exhibited with the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, the Royal Society of British Artists and the New English Art Club.

Despite returning to live in Christchurch in 1930, Barton continued to travel widely overseas on painting trips over the following decades. A long-time resident of the Sumner-Redcliffs area, Barton was a well-known identity of the seaside suburb and was frequently involved in organisations associated with the area.

Barton bequeathed a substantial number of his watercolours to the Canterbury Museum, which today has the largest holding of his work. He is also represented in the collections of the Hocken Library, Dunedin and the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington.

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20 August - 2 October 2005
Ravenscar Gallery

Judges of the 2005 Award were Fiona Gunn, Artist; Neil Roberts, Senior Curator, Christchurch Art Gallery; and Philip Trusttum, Artist.

The Cranleigh Barton Drawing Award for 2005 was awarded to Kristin Hollis of Christchurch for her work The Cat Farmers Wife. The winner was announced at an exhibition opening on August 19. The winning work was exhibited with 16 other selected entries at the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu from 20 August to 2 October 2005.

Two other entries were highly commended by the judges. These were Homage to Brian Warner by Samantha Wallace from Waimate and Plan for a Japanese Garden by Martin Ball of Auckland.

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