Novel Murals For Office

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29832, 26 May 1962, Page 17

Novel Murals For Office

Four arresting abstract panels of novel construction are being completed by the Christchurch artist and sculptor, Mr Russell Clark (above) as a backdrop to mezzanine-floor stairs in the remodelled offices of the ”T. and G. Insurance Company, in Hereford street. The architect (Mr D. S. Cowey) wanted a feature which would show up to good effect against the otherwise plain walls.

Mr Clark has fashioned copper, brass, aluminium, and lead and also mosaics of broken ceramic tile into patterns of shapes and colours which even he declines to describe. “It is pure abstract without any underlying theme,” he said, “but I am rather pleased with the results.” The four panels will be

assembled in a four-foot square with inch margins between.

On these the artist has created abstract “gessoed” (whiting, glue size, and linseed oil) shapes painted with glazed oil colours of “earth” —orange, green, blue-green, and brown, each with a different patina. The mosaics are goldenbrown, deep green, violet, pale green, grey, white, and black. The tiny pieces have been banded in polished copper after they set. The super-imposed metal shapes were coarsely beaten to avoid “jazz” effects and they have little polish. The total effect is rich in substance, colour, and texture.

Mr Clark said he had been surprised and delighted, on a recent visit to Australia, to find the extent of murals and

sculpture on and in new commercial premises. Insurance bffices were among the leaders. One Melbourne office had allocated £15,000 for an abstract relief panel, 35ft by 16ft, cast in aluminium on its fapade and for a reclining figure in bronze for the forecourt. Recessed .from the street, this area had become a centre of civic interest.

A Sydney office had had its ancient coat of arms stylised on ultra-modern lines. It was shown in bronze at the entrance and small details were repeated in other materials throughout the building, even including wrought iron in the rear arcade. iMr Clark said he knew more New -Zealand companies were becoming interested in thus enlivening their premises.