SERVICES' ART

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 218, 14 September 1944, Page 6

SERVICES' ART

EXHIBITION OPENED

250 ENTRIES ACCEPTED

"For this exhibition we can only have the deepest admiration and the most profound respect," said the deputy-Mayor, Mr. J. L. Coakley, this afternoon when opening the exhibition at the Art Gallery of paintings, drawings and craft work by members of the New Zealand armed forces. "Our hearty congratulations are extended to Major Cox and to the officers and personnel of the Army Education and Welfare Service for the enterprise and initiative which have made this unusual exhibition possible," said Mr. Coakley. "There have been many difficulties and much hard work has been necessary to overcome them, but difficulties are made to be overcome, as our boys have proved in every theatre of war." Mr. Coakley added that professional artists might find it only too easy to discover faults in the work on exhibition, but it should be remembered that the exhibits reflected the various moods and emotions of men exiled from their homes and often enduring extremes of danger, suffering and hardship. Over 600 entries had been received, and 250 accepted. "The New Zealand soldier is an adaptable fellow and these exhibits will prove to all who see them, that artistic endeavour and cultural hobbies cannot be kept from the everyday activities of our fighting men," said Mr. Coakley.* All proceeds from the exhibition are to go to the National Patriotic Fund.