B.

Another nor’wester descends on Canterbury

Behind the scenes

Some people fear them, others revel in the unforgiving dry heat – love them or hate them the legendary Canterbury nor'wester is one of the defining features of this region in the summer months and there is a real doozy blowing outside at the moment.

As one of my colleagues described them, it's like entering a small room, closing the door and windows and switching on 20 fan heaters – hot and dry as hell.

Bill Sutton loved Canterbury's nor'westers. He found them energising and, as long as it's not a headwind biking home, I'd have to agree with him. These two works by Juliet Peter and Bill Sutton both have the distinctive cloud formations that go hand in hand with the nor'west winds.

Juliet Peter Nor'west 1939. Linocut. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, gift of William Sutton 1983

Juliet Peter Nor'west 1939. Linocut. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, gift of William Sutton 1983

Willaim Sutton Hills and Plains, Waikari 1956. Oil on canvas board. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased 1989

Willaim Sutton Hills and Plains, Waikari 1956. Oil on canvas board. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased 1989