CRITICISM OF ART SHOWS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28825, 20 February 1959, Page 10

CRITICISM OF ART SHOWS

Complaints Made By Society Complaints about the "harsh criticisms” and “sour comments” made by the art critic of “The Press” in his reviews of local art exhibitions were made by members at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Society of Arts last evening. Mrs D. A. Hennessy asked if the society could do anything about the “rather irksome” reviews that had appeared in the newspaper during the last year. “It is extraordinary that a voluntary organisation like this, which is encouraging art, should be treated in «this way by “The Press,” she added. The president (Mr G. C. C Sandston) said that it was a matter of personal opinion, but that the executive committee had felt that some of the criticism had been rather harsh. “We want criticism as long as it is instructive, and not destructive,” he. said. “Last year, after a rather rude remark had been made by the critic, 1 sent a letter to the editor of ‘The Press,’ which was not published,” said the former president (Mr A. A. G. Reed). “I received a letter from the editor, and I thought he saw our point of view. It was probably better that this did not come out ’in public.

“The editor realised our problems and that some of the criticisms had- been killing a plant that ngeds nuturing,” Mr Reed said.

Another member mentioned the "pleasant and encouraging” articles ■ that used . to . appear in “The Press” some years ago whenever there was an art show in the city. She said that the writer. Dr. Lester, showed a good insight and understanding of art and was very helpful to the exhibitors “Now we have nothing but sour comments.” she said. Mr Q. Macfarlane suggested that Instead of “weathering” the unkind - reports, the society should do something more concrete. “If the criticism is strong or damning the artist can either go under or come out on top,” he said. More could be done to answer the criticisms by encouraging younger artists from all parts of the Dominion to take part in the society's exhibitions, he said. Most of the criticism in “The Press” was directed against a particular kind of work; if the society’s exhibitions contained a greater variety of work there would be less criticism, said Mr T. Bracey.

“I hope you don’t suggest that we should submit only the kind of work that Mr ‘J.N.K.’ approves of ” said Mr C. S. Lovell-Smith Mr Bracey called for a more "universal” approach by the society in the staging of exhibitions.