AUTUMN SHOW

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 106, 7 May 1928, Page 11

AUTUMN SHOW

PICTUIiES AT ACADEMY SKETCH AND FINISHED WORK The usual annual sketch exhibition of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts is becoming mote of v full-dross show. From now on it will be the Autumn Exhibition. This is now .open to the public. The ollicial part was filled by flic Mayor of Wellington (Air. G. A. Troup) on 'Friday, with an appropriate speech, ni.nl the customary private view followed. Today the public can see at leisure, and without distractions of a ceremonial sort, the fruits of artistic effort made in tho field during spring and summer months in New Zealand, as well as work done in studios and in the open air in other countries'. The exhibition is remarkable, for the great variety of the works and (he very high cpialily of most of them. Given snllicient time. Many of the. pictures will liberally reward long and careful study. The notes here made upon tho exhibition are rough, cursory, and uncritical, and no mote than pointing to sonic pictures before which visitors lo the gallery may bo inclined to linger. The exhibition is so large this year that the walls of the main and upper galleries are fully covered. Familiar names will be found signed on most of the works, also some new names. The great majority of the paintings arc in water-colours. Aliss D. lv. Richmond's "Zinnias" should on no account be missed. It will be found on the right wall (on entering) of the main gallery. Near by are grouped some of her delightful water-colours, any of which it is venial to covet, and especially the "Pirougia" picture with its sheep in the middle distance. Airs. At. K. Tripe's portrait of "Airs. Sawtell" (oils) is said by those who have the advantage of knowing her subject to be a perfect likeness. In any case it is a picture giving distinction to the exhibition. Her picture of bathers by a river side is a brilliant work, full of light and colour, and delightful, to look upon. Air. Alcnzics Gibb is well .represented, as is to be expected of so staunch a supporter of local exhibitions, and withal a consistent and conscientious painter. ''Land and Sea, New Brighton," by Ah-. Gibb, will load the discriminating visitor to other admirable examples Of his style. Aliss Julia Lynch has a large portrait (oils) of a young lady, smiling, a picture that is sure to arrest attention of visitors. | "Storm Clouds," by W. S. Wauchop. is outstanding among the landscapes. Mr. Al'Corinack's "Sydney Harbour," showing the North Head, looking out to sea, should not be missed, and there are other watercolours in the bold, free, and pleasant style adopted by this artist, hung in the vicinity, which will surely excite favourable remark. Aliss Betty Rhiud's "Old-fashioned Bunch" (oils) is among the best of the flower paintings, and Aliss Rhind exhibits ' some arresting work in black and white, j BEAUTIES OF LAND AND SEA. Air. Nugent Welch is well to the front with revelations of the often dream-like beauties of the Wellington Coast, when sea and clouds are unvexed by winds. An untitled picture on the north Avail is further evidence of Air. Welch's delicate art in shoAving New Zealand's beauties to those who have eyes to see. His little draAving with Alana Island in the middb distance can fairly be described as "a thing of beauty." Air. Heginbotbain's work shown in the upper gallery is a testimony to his industry. He has gone , mainly to the harbour for subjects, prc'ferring shipping, the hulls of which, as no doubt he realises, are exceedingly hard to draw from certain angles. His cleverlyconceived "Saturday Afternoon," a wharf scene, will merit attention. In W. Fell's "Campagna" there will be found poetry as well as topographical accuracy. The lonely cypress in the foreground dominating a melancholy stretch of country, unbroken to the horizon, will leave a deep and lasting impression with many who Avill see it. Several interesting examples of Air. Nelson . Isaac's decorative style will be found on the Avails, and his "Day's Bay" will no doubt make an instant appeal Avith its neat design and effective colour. The free and subtle style of Esmond Atkinson is well exemplified in his water-colours hung on the north wall of the main gallery. His "Cora Lynn" will draw attention, and many who see it may reasonably long to possess it. Air. F. R. Alexander, an industrious and observant depictor of the lieauties of Wellington's atmosphere and rugged coastline, is Aveil represented. His "House on the Hill" should not be overlooked. On the south wall of the main gallery, near the dais, is hung the water colour "Evening on the Ridge" by R. J. Waghorn, a simple subject, three-fifths of it a cloudless, amber-hued sky, the rest a foreground of undulating land and vegetation. And yet this drawing is one of the most harmonious and attractive works in.the gallery. Air. Alarcus King exhibits in oils. His "Decorative Landscape" and "Sunny Hillside" are both courageous and truthful expositions of the .gorgeous colour momentarily displayed in and around Wellington Harbour. How often and generally are they perceived and enjoyed? Mr. King has caught the fleeting beauties" of jate afternoon and evening and the saffron glow overspreading hills on the eastern shore Avith the blue and purple haze of the mountains beyond, all mirrored in the waters except where zephyrs ruflle their surface. Air. King again manifests in his work his strong sense of light and colour, his just appraisement of their value in his pictures this year. Air. Lewen's work (in oils) of horses, especially in ''Through the Gate," are remarkable for their vigour and sound draughtsmanship. Long study, combined with accurate observation, have resulted in Avork which entitled Air. Lewen lo regard his equine pictures as among the most important in the show. Air. Sydney Higgs, who has been working in Tasmania, Avili be found worthily represented in his picture of a gumtree, ;i monarch of the Tasmanian forest, beautifully drawn, and a work oE great pictorial value. These remarks refer to the picture on the west wall of the main gallery. His picture "The Clearing" should on no account be missed. Versatility is one of several attributes of Mr. Murray Fuller, and his pictures invite comparison of the old houses in Quimperle with the bi-oad treatment given to his "Brunswick Square," and the carefully wrought detail iv "St. Michael's Mount." The exhibition gains much in interest by the works of Mr. Murray Fuller. Rata Lovcl Smith's name is attached to a magnificent example of New Zealand mountain scenery, "Valley of the Huriinui." Another distinguished work of this kind is seen in Eric Gully's "Otahoua Hills." The grandeur of the Dominion's southern 'mountains has inspired Ethel Richardson in "Graham's Old Home," Avith its yellowing poplars, the sylvan wealth of the bush and tho glittering peak of the mountain showing above the mist. Mr. W. Tiller has been markedly successful in pastels for this exhibition. In addition to some attractive flower studies, he has contributed a fine example of bush in sunlight and shadow ill the picture "Haywards." Air. Len. Watkins has been busy among the coalhulks in tho harbour, as his large water colours in the upper gallery will show. Ronald M'Kcnzic's work in water colours shows a striking change from that ho exhibited in oils some years ago. There will be found lavo clean, well-drawn pictures of Notre Dame, Paris, one of tho front taken from near tho Petit Pout, the other showing the Apse, from the end of the Pont Archovechc. Tho exhibition is fortunate in having these fine examples of Alt'. Al'Kenzie's work. : Aliss Stodciart's many admirers Avill rejoice to see her Avorks (west side of the gallery). She shows a still life, which is oiic of her best, and in addition to flowcirs shows a beautiful landscape, "The Lagoon," which makes an irresistible appeal. v THE UPPER GALLERY. There will be found in the upper gallery some remarkably fine work. For example, the miniature-like draAving of "An English Setter" by Airs. V. E. Whiteinan. W. IT. Carter, whose original work Avas always an interesting feature of past exhibitions, has a fanciful picture of un "Old Garden." DraAving of old cottages in Wales by Overton Jones should on no account be passed by. Examples of Avork iv colour by the same artists arc exhibited in the main gallery. "The Kingfisher," by Fanny Richardson, Avill be found near the stairway, and fully repays careful scrutiny. '\V. J. Rush has tu'o water colour drawings of "Whangarei Harbour," the smaller ofAvhieh Avill be recognised as notable for its accuracy and vision. Hay Campbell's •' 'Church Street. Paignton," , and "The 'Mill Stream, Bradfield," inter-

csting lor (.licit- sound drawing ami happy results in colour. Miss Elizabeth Perry is well represented by a "Street in St. Ives." Another artist with a keen eye for the interesting in ancient streets is ]■). ,]. D. Turner in two pictures painted of "llaverfordwest." "The Picnic," by Maud Cook, will be singled out for its vivid colour and free treatment of a sunny spot by a river with bathers in gay costumes. A delicate water colour by 11. Tcmib.s is "Koto llira." A very beautiful ■'Kvening" by Gwynneth Hicliardson will be found in the upper gallery at the eastern end. In the same gallery is hung ".Jciiiinctte," a portrait in oils by K. D. Jackson, and downstairs will be seen the same artist's "Fisherman's Daughter," both worthy examples of E. D. Jackson's art. "Guildhall," by Cranleigh Barton, is a subtly treated subject, the truthfulness of which in drawing,' colour, and atmosphere will be vouched for by all who have fallen midiT the spell of old London. "Spring Day," by Mr. Linley liiehardson, is among the works in the main gallery calling lor particular mention. Upslaiis will he found Mr. Kichardsoii's pencil drawings (three) of babies, which suggest a profound son.se of the beauty of infancy, to say nothing of their line, technique. Other pencils drawings, "Scraps" and "War Sketches" (the latter made in the trenches and in the front line) by Vivian Smith much enhance the interest in exhibits in the upper gallery. The transluccncy of Charles Condor's designs for fan decorations will not be found in the work of Majorie Mills for the same purpose, but her drawing makes good use of strong greens and blues in a clever and original design. B. K. Chappie lias a crayon portrait of a lady wearing a vcit and entitled "Purity." Some excellent wood cuts in colour are shown by L. D. Bestall and Yvonne Beslall, the -Litter's "Pirouze" being remarkably clever in conception, drawing, and colour. The clever and "lifey" dry point, "Mallards," by W. J. Gooch is certain to be the subject of favourable comment. Mr. Gooeh is well represented too in colour woodcuts. That D. Joy Lawson has the gift of imagination and facility in drawing is evident in the drawing exhibited. Frances M. Blair's woodcuts are conspicuous for the delicacy of their colour and boldness of design. Pen and ink drawings by AY. h. Palmer (Sentoun) from Karaka Bay. and by A. G. Palmer will attract favourable notice.