Earl Tutty - 'Scoot'
Canaday Gallery, 9th March–4th April 2010
In Scoot, painter and graphic designer Earl Tutty reveals his long-standing passion and commitment to superb industrial design, in a new series of works that extol the virtues, culture and life-style of the Vespa scooter.
Conceived and designed by Enrico Piaggio and Italian aeronautical engineer Pontedera Carradino D'Ascanio after the end of the Second World War, the Vespa remains a leading example of quality and practicality in the 21st century. When the first model was released in 1946 its 'tear-drop' appearance was entirely innovative. It had little in common with other bikes and scooters at that time, appearing radical and unique, yet also somewhat familiar and domestic. Moreover, in 1946, it could not have been anticipated that this simple, economic and affordable method of transport would also offer a possible solution to the problems of increasing commuter transport in Europe and America, encompassing the best practical aspects of four-wheel transport, and the independence and freedom, traditionally associated with the motor-bike.
Over the past 60 years the Vespa's design has been fine tuned, rather than re-invented and it remains one of the few industrial designs that has retained its essential shape and persona. Practically, the Vespa is remarkable: Economic to run, comfortable seating, a spare wheel, reliable on long trips, low maintenance and a sound engine. This, coupled with its elegance and beauty make it 'one of the most important benchmarks of our time.' 1
Tutty's interest in the vehicle began in 1972, purchasing a Vespa because he recognised that it was a 'fast, two-stroke' bike. He has since toured the country on his Vespa's, travelling as far as the Haast, to the surprise and disbelieve of local residences. ("Where have you got your trailer and car hidden?") and a one day 1155k blast in September 09 from Bluff to The Farewell Spit with fellow scooterist Mike Pascoe still leaves a smile on his face. Scoot celebrates the culture of this remarkable bike in paintings that evoke and allude to the unique nature of an object that is far more than the sum total of its engineered and aesthetic components.