Art Competition

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29763, 5 March 1962, Page 3

Art Competition

Sir. —It seems to be conceded that Sir Daryl Lindsays eminence in the art world comes from his having been for several years director of the Melbourne Art Gallery, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. May I suggest through your columns, if the directors of Hay’s. Limited, are to be as generous and long-suffering in future years as we all hope they will be, that the present incumbent at the Melbourne Gallery be invited on a future occasion to be the judge. I could predict with some confidence a remarkable re-shuffling of opinions on the part of several of your indignant correspondents.—Yours, etc., W A. SUTTON. March 3, 1962.

Sir,— Having put some concentration into viewing Hay’s competition, as a former student of the old art school where abstracts did not exist, all I can say is: ‘•Thank God we still have the old masters. I fail to see real beauty in extreme abstracts. I did get a feeling of minds’ striving for release from tension created by an unreal world and a confused sadness. Give me “Cat Street,” Hong Kong. This picture comes to life. Few artists today have that insight to convey intense inner feeling and understanding of places and human beings. The water colours, “Milford Sound’’ and “Lake Manapouri” would grace a room of good taste, as would the oil “Montrose Estate.” Like the old masters, they will not date but give a feeling of restfulness and beauty. Abstracts follow a fashion, will do their circuit, and fade out. One becomes bored with another person’s vivid imagination.— Yours, etc., PHYLLIS HALL March 4, 1962.