SCHOOL OF ART.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17981, 26 January 1924, Page 11

SCHOOL OF ART.

NEW MASTER ARRIVES.

MR F. A. SHURROCK INTERVIEWED. Students at the Christchurch School of Art whoso work is comprised of modelling, carving, or sculpture should experience ■wholly enjoyable and profitable terms at the school this year, if the impression gained of Mr F, A. Shurrock by a "Press" reporter last; evening; was correct, Mr Shurrock is possessed of a decided personalityj brimful of energy, and a keen observer. Although he has been in Chxistchurcli only three days, he has done much exploring, and waxed onthusiastic over the views obtained from tho hill top— # he lias already tramped over more of the Caslimero Hills thail many residents of years' standing—he has. inspected tho College in its entirety, and more particularly tho School of Art, the Museum, and tho southern side of tho town, many public buildings, and tho city generally. Asked for • his opinion of tho work of the pupils of tho school, some of which ho was able to inspect, he said it showed signs of much kconncss and hard work, and thatthe standard was surprisingly high.

Mr Shurrock is a West Countryman, and was educated at Tarvin Grammar School, near Chester, and tho County Secondary School at Chester, where, among other distinctions gained as a 6tudent at the Chester School of Art., ho won a Royal Exhibition Scholarship tenable in London, so that he was able to pursue his higher training at theSoyal College of Art, London,, where he took tho degrees of Associateship Qf that College for Sculpture in 1912, and the full Fellowship in tho following year. After tho war ho took up the position of principal at tho School of Science and Art-at Weston-super-Mare, which had been closed during tho war and was reopened under Mr Shurrock's supervision. Tho authoritiea controlling tho school, however, were hampered by lack of funds, and development was not so much in evident 1 *! as it should have been. When Mr Shurrock left thero were 300 students attending art, scienco, 'and commerce classes, but there was room for many more. Not liking the prospects, Mr Shurrock cast about for fresh fields, and happily he has been chosen by tho authorities at Canterbury College for the School of Art.

Mr Shurroclc is very pleasantly impressed with Christchurch, which, he states, reminds him very much of Oxford. Ho gave the impression that he would not likely go back to England, at least for somo time, and if ho moved on from Christchurch at the end of "his contract it would bo to another now country. Mr Shurrock saw a good deal of war (service, and ended by spending a very unhappy ten months as a prisoner of war in Germany: During that time ho was, in common with many other. Bri-' tishers, practically starved, and painted what is now, at this dsstance, -a humorous pen picture of the human. acar,ecrows in the compounds. Ho was with the 10th Battalion of the West • Yorkshire Regiment, overseas, and owing to his special, was in great demand as signalling... and scouting officer, his-, duties often ■ comprising the plotting of territory -iiv front of the line. Ho wna once wounded and in hospital in England, before being sent back for a long spell overseas prior to his being taken; prisoner. Mr Shurrock confesses to a great liking for cricket, and from reports received he is no mean cricketer either, and should be a valuable acquisition to one of the local clubs. A war disability tells against him slightly, but he finds that the large number of. walking expeditions he has undertaken have minimised his , trouble considerably.. Questioned as to Rugby football*, lie said tbat in his part qf the country it - was all Association. With regard to the hitch over the projected AH" Black tour) the Rugby Union officials wore no doubt frightened of the taint of professionalism. The fact that professional "Soccer" clubs Were paying huge: fees for players vyas causing people furiously to think, and really ana- 1 teur authorities were anxious to keep their games clear of any-suggestion of professionalism.