This work (one of three which can be collected as a triptych) is inspired by Lake Takapō, a stunning body of glacial-fed water located in New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Takapō’s colour has its genesis in the erosion of glaciers located in the surrounding alps. As these glaciers move, they grind rocks into ‘particulate’—a fine dust called ‘glacial silt’ or ‘rock flour’ (represented in the painting by fine white circular marks). This rock flour is moved along by headwaters. Due to the dust flour being so fine it does not settle to the bottom quickly and remains suspended in the lake’s water. Glacial experts explain that the water turns turquoise blue because: ‘When light hits the surface of the lake, the silt absorbs some of the light (the very short-wave lengths like purple and indigo) and the water absorbs the longer wavelengths (like red, orange and yellow). This leaves the blue-green wavelengths to be scattered back to our eyes, so we see the lake as a blue/green colour’ (Source: https://www.christchurchnz.com/explore/getting-around/glacial-expert-talks-through-why-lake-pukaki-is-so-blue). NB Actual painting is 29cm x 44.5cm (Framed 51cm x 66cm)