Trevor Sutton’s paintings and prints can be described as ‘non-figurative’. Characterised by a sense of restraint and order, the structure of a grid has developed throughout Sutton’s career as key within his visual language. Despite being firmly rooted in abstraction, Sutton’s imagery often refers to his surroundings whether natural or architectural.
The prints that Sutton has made with Kip Gresham continue to develop Sutton’s interest in the world around him. In a series of etchings titled ‘Stamp A, B and C’, he prepared the first set of metal plates by putting them on the gravel entrance to the studio and stamping on them, thus grinding and scratching into the surface. On the second set of plates, small formal geometric drawings were etched and printed like postage stamps over the top of the prints made from the scratched plates, described by the artist as ‘a stamp of approval’.
The vibrant pair of screenprints that Sutton made with Gresham titled ‘Cascade’ and ‘Giant Steps’ relate more closely to recent geometric paintings. ‘Cascade’s’ composition refers to the qualities of a waterfall but the red and orange palette chosen is deliberately not drawn from this source material. ‘Giant Steps’ was inspired by Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway which Sutton visited for the first time in 2011. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the grandeur of the naturally tessellated basalt columns had a profound effect upon the artist.
Sutton is a multiple award-winner and exhibits internationally. His works feature in many renowned collections, including those of the Arts Council, the British Council and the Tate Gallery. He has taken up many residencies and fellowships abroad, most recently in France and Ireland. He lives and works in London.
