WORK OF FRANCES HODGKINS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25638, 29 October 1948, Page 8

WORK OF FRANCES HODGKINS

REQUEST FOR NO REVIEW

EXPLANATION BY MR W. S. BAVERSTOCK

Mr W. S. Baverstock, secretary of the Canterbury Society of Arts, was asked yesterday to explain the notice requesting that no reference should be made in the newspapers to six paintings by Frances Hodgkins, the famous New Zealand artist, exhibited at the 1948 Group Show. “They are not part of the show and' they are not in New Zealand for general public appraisal,” he said. “It would not, therefore, be proper for them to be reviewed as part of the exhibition.”

The paintings had been assembled and sent to the society by the British Council; but they were not supplied for public exhibition as some other material had been. They were made available for inspection because the society had considered purchasing one. The Customs Department had released the works under bond pending a decision whether any would be retained. Mr .Baverstock was asked to confirm a report that the society had decided not to acquire any of the paintings. “The council has reached a decision; but I axn not at liberty to disclose it at this stage.” he replied. “The paintings have been hung at the Group Show for the convenience of members,” Mr Baverstock continued. “There has been some delay in securing them for exhibition to members of the society and as there are other gallery bookings for the near future it was decided to hang the paintings at the Group Show. “It should be made clear that they par t °* Group Show and that they were displayed primarily for the inspection of members of the societ Y- Any member or group of the public is, however, at liberty to subscribe for the purchase of the paintings on their own account,” he added. In view of this position and of the public interest in the works of the famous New Zealand painter, why was t*} e . request made that newspapers should not comment upon them, Mr Baverstock was asked. “The paintings were not secured for public exhibition. In any case we do not know how copyright might affect any photographs taken.” he said. . When asked if the paintings had not, been on public exhibition at the Group Show, Mr Baverstock declined to reply. Was the notice making the request posted on the instruction of the council of the Society of Arts? he was aske <J- ™ consulted the chairman (Mr A. E. Flower) and we agreed that the request should be made,” he said. An attempt was made to secure Mr Flower s comments; but he is in Wellington.

, Mrs .R° na Fleming, a member of the 1948 Group, said that an agreement to hang the paintings “at the same time as the Group Show” was made because the Society of Arts had no other opportunity to display them. A customs official was informed that a notice under the paintings stated that they were under bond and no reference to them should be made in newspaper notices. He said- the arrangement under which the paintings were released for inspection made no such condition.