EDUCATION IN ART.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 39, 15 February 1934, Page 6

EDUCATION IN ART.

The obvious criticism of art galleries in New Zealand is made by Mr. Markham and Professor Richards, in then* report to the Museums' Association. Art is one branch of culture in which the Dominions are severelyhandicapped—especially the more remote. Reading about pictorial art cannot compensate for lack of original pictures. Generally speaking, a young countr*, busy with the humdrum task of nation building, has not the money to spare to acquire the "old masters" of which the report speaks. Such a collection is the work of centuries. On the other hand, New Zealand has not been oblivious to its lack. There are a number of valuable pictures on exhibit in the Dominion, which are due to the generosity of citizen patrons and to the public spirit of interested bodies, both civic and private. But they are too few, as the report recognises when it says: "A series of loans, beginning with 'old masters' and going up through the various schools to modern American art, would be a very great boon." That we are not blind to our shortcomings is shown by the fact that even before this report appeared steps had been taken to arrange for the dispatch of a loan collection from England. This has now been finalised, and a very valuable collection has been got together for our education and delight. Hitherto the dispatch of collections from England to the Dominions has depended upon the private enterprise of dealers and the opportunity presented by large industrial exhibitions. The formation of the Empire Loan Collection Society, the creation of Mr. P. R. Sargood, of Dunedin, is an attempt to put the whole business on a permanent and more secure footing, and as such deserves the support of all art lovers.