ART SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9704, 17 April 1897, Page 9

ART SOCIETY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sra,—"Artist's" reply to "One of the Public " lets a little light into the ways of the much-abused Hanging Committee. He says, "that he and two friends were present . . . and asked him (the member of the Hanging Committee) to displace some pictures he had hung on the line, &c." Really, it is no wonder the Hanging Committee has given so much dissatisfaction, if, as it seems beyond doubt, outsiders are allowed in, and, above all, to makesuggestions. Can one imagine this being dom when Captain Garsia " ran the show." I should think that the " modest" member of the Hanging Committee, who hung ten of his own productions would be inclined to exclaim, " save mc from my friends, if they give us away as ' Artist" has done." The construction of the Hanging Committee is absurd enough as it is, without allowing outsiders to make suggestions, &c, at the hanging of the pictures. Imagine what would be thought if exhibitors at a show or industrial exhibition were appointed to to judge their own apprentices' work. It is absurd to have a Hanging Committee consisting of professional artists and teachers to judge and hang their own and pupils' work. Surely in a city like Christchurch the Art Society should be able to get say two gentlemen capable of judging the pictures and who would be willing to give a few hours once a year to sorting out and determining how the pictures are to be hung. By this means indifferent work would be rejected and good work get a fair show without fear or favour. "Artist" made the mistake of proving too much.—Yours.l &c, t Ex-Member. April 14th.