SCHOOL ART FROM JAPAN

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28793, 14 January 1959, Page 7

SCHOOL ART FROM JAPAN

Astonishing Prints

The exhibition of Japanese schoolchildren’s art at the D.I.C. is a most enjoyable show of a very high standard. The ages of the children range from seven to 15 years and in every age group the paintings are characterised by a high degree of the natural capacity for colour and design which exists in nearly all children, but is buried in adults by pseudo-rationalisation. Indeed, it is unusual to see this faculty retained unimpaired, even at the age of 15. There is no use of the trick media which are often encouraged in New Zealand schools and the children have painted with great directness, many of them showing a strong feeling for texture. The paintings are full of charm and freshness. But more remarkable’ than the paintings is a group of etchings by 15-year-old pupils of the Suzagamori Lower Secondary School, Tokyo. Some of these are in the traditional Japanese print style, others are more individual. The difficult crafts have been mastered and are used with skill and sensitivity by these children. As children’s work these prints are astonishing. Many of them are good by adult standards, particularly an etching—a girl with flowers—in the window display.