A PLEA FOR ART.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19251, 5 March 1928, Page 2

A PLEA FOR ART.

SHOULD PERMEATE LIFE. LECTURE BY MR W. MOORE. "Art is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It should become part of a community and permeate our whole lite,' said Mr William Moore, art critic, ot Sydney, lecturing on "'Some Misconceptions about Art." at St. Michael'-: Church, yesterday afternoon. "Christchurch is a city of gardens and a beautiful river," began Mr Moore. "You spend time and money c-n them, and you udmit there is no profit. Do you regard them as a luxury? You will answer, 'No,' bub rather as a part of life, stimulating in the morning, and soothing in the evening." They were a necessity, and in the same way art was a necessity, not a luxury. The reason for this misconception among many people in New Zealand was that good pictures were mostly confined to galleries. But art should enter into the very life of tne people. Ho instanced the Bridge ot .Remembrance as a work of art. saying that it would be pondered on from various angles and finally would enshrine itself in the life of the people. Another example to be found in Christchurch was in the beautiful little teahouses on the Cashmere Hills. Thera one saw a painted sign, appropriate sketches, and some very appropriate lines of poetry. He had also occasion to notice the interior of the tearooms of one of the City's emporiums. 11 had a restful appearance. The walls were hung with the best works of New Zealand painters. Such were the examples or art permeating life. Art was not confined to painting or sculpture. The woman who designed the appointments of her home, or the man who laid out his garden, were artists. In these days, too, the newspaper advertisement, or the poster gave an opportunity to provide something distinctive. Nor was art confined to tho.jo who followed intellectual pursuits. There were numerous instances where tradesmen and business men had contributed much to art. "There is considerable misconception as to what constitutes a good picture, said the lecturer. Such well-known sentimental pictures as "The Peacemaker," "The Fallen Idol," or "The Doctor," had an almost universal appeal because their subjects were so simple. Many people were much more interested in subject than in treatment. In the higher realms of art it was not the subject but the way it was treated which counted. Why was one artist greater than another? Becauso one had a rarer vision and a deeper insight than the other. The artist's outlook on his subject should be considered. The true nrtist did not simply make a close copy,, but gave broad and harmonious lines to his subject. Some artists suggested intellect and colour, others colour and desire, and so on. Art should play a greater part in the life of the community than it did. # It had many sides, and all the conditions here were favourable to its development. The Canterbury College School of Art was, regarded as a national one, but art would be seriously handicappsd till the City had a gallery worthy of the name.

He put forth a strong plea for the encouragement of voung artists. He had been priviliged to see some of tho works to be on view at the forthcoming exhibition, of Fine Arts, and was glad to seo that the younger painters were being giv6n a chance. "We should have a fiery faith in our own wcirk. and it should never die out," concluded Mr Moore.