MODERN ART

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27628, 7 April 1955, Page 7

MODERN ART

Sir,—The annual protest by Art Society members about rejected paintings of many amateur and gifted artists cannot possibly bear fruit under the existing management The coun-

cil or hanging committee is largely Composed of artists who depend on the annual exhibition for their success and future welfare. Therefore, we find that every year these artists who have made art their profession have about eight pictures hung, while the struggling amateur (often no fess gifted) must be content with two or three successful exhibits and often have his better work rejected. It is suggested that an exhibition of rejected works be considered, but for obvious reasons that is not acceptable to the council. Perhaps some public-spirited citizen, a supporter of art, might consider this idea. An invitation to the artists to send their rejected pictures and a charge of Is for some worthy cause should ensure a successful venture.— Yours, etc., HOPE. April 4. 1955. [Mr Colin Lovell-Smith, president of the Canterbury Society of Arts, replying to this letter, said: “The council of the Canterbury Society of Arts, which acts as the hanging committee, consists of the president, five vice-presi-dents, eight members of the council, and the treasurer, making 15 in all. Of that number, 10, including the president, are working members, and those 10 among them are showing 43 works, which is rather different from “about eight pictures,” of which “Hope” writes. I think an exhibition of rejects would be excellent, provided “Hope” does not expect the council to arrange and hang them.”]

Sir, —As I made my way to the Canterbury Society of Arts annual exhibition, everywhere lovely autumn tints were visible on the trees. So at the exhibition I had visions of seeing many beautiful pictures of our unsurpassed New Zealand scenery. I was very disappointed indeed; only a few landscapes showed real beauty and merit. Instead, a number of pictures, weird and lurid, met my eye and acted on my brain; apd I thought of the political prisoners of China who went insane when imprisoned in cells I painted with similar colours. I therefore hurried away, before I was affected; and in the quiet of my home perused the official catalogue just to see who was responsible for hanging these efforts. To my surprise, I discovered eight persons were on the judging council. I can now understand more clearly the old saying, “Too many cooks spoil the broth.”— Yours, etc., SINGING RED. April 6, 1955.