Arts ‘Have Been Neglected’ In N.Z.

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30886, 20 October 1965, Page 26

Arts ‘Have Been Neglected’ In N.Z.

“The Press'* Special Service

HAMILTON, Oct. 19.

The lack of informed criticism had greatly damaged New Zealand artists, said Mr P. F. Wells at the University of Waikato at the inauguration of the university’s art collection.

Mr Wells, a member of the staff of the university who was president of the Waikato Society of Arts in 1954, said New Zealanders needed more practice at “looking into” rather than “looking at” works of art. Prints would not do for this purpose, he said.

To appreciate the qualities of foreign masters it was necessary to learn at home on originals. He said students should be taught how to appreciate works of art so there would be a nucleus of informed opinion.

The university art collection, begun by the students themselves and by friends of the university, would enable this to be done.

Mr Wells said that fortunately an era in which New Zealanders had "curiously insulted themselves” by believing achievement in art was for foreigners was now passing. New Zealand was beginning to realise it had artists of its own.

“In the past we have been apt to take pride in production figures, the volume of traffic over our utilitarian bridges or the fertility of our land,” he said. “We draw the visitors’ attention to local beauty spots as if we somehow shared the credit for their existence, but up to now there has been little of aesthetic and lasting value to offer. “Our school children can recite the dates of the Maori wars, the result of tragic misunderstanding, but they do not know the names of New Zealand artists who try to create understanding.” Mr Wells said there was much evidence of a new appreciation of the work of New Zealand artists.