Christchurch Artist Wins Kelliher Prize

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31097, 28 June 1966, Page 1

Christchurch Artist Wins Kelliher Prize

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 27. A Christchurch artist, Peter Mardon, won the £5OO first prize in the 1966 Kelliher art competition with his entry “Lyttelton Harbour.” This is the fifth time Mr Mardon has entered the contest. Before he has won three merit prizes.

The second prize went to Colin V. Wheeler, of Oamaru, for a landscape near Benmore and the third prize was awarded to R. B. Watson, of Wellington, for his “EarlyMorning, Queenstown.”

Merit prizes were awarded by the judge, Mr Alan Baker, of Sydney, to Gaston de Vel, of Hamilton, “Autumn”; Myra Kirkpatrick, of Dunedin, “Summer Gilds the Claims”; S. Robins, of Papakura, “Gathering Potatoes”; R. Chilvers, of Blenheim, “Summer Road, Wairau Pa”; M. A. Poulton, of Wei-

lington, “Hahei Beach”; Don Neilson, of Masterton, “Makaroa Landscape”; lan C. Scott, of Henderson, Auckland, “Storm Shadows, Waitakere”; P. Williams, of Gisborne, “Travelling Mob”; and Cyril Whiteoak, of Titirangi, Auckland, “Remains of Old Lime Industry”. The prizes were presented by the Australian artist, William Dargie, who said the entries this year had Shown a much higher technical standard than in earlier years. “New Zealanders are eccentrics,” he said. “I wish I could see more of this in their paintings.” Mr Baker said he was pleased the first prize had gone to a young man as New Zealand art was untainted by

movements sweeping the world.

He said he was a great believer in national art rather than international art. While there was a certain edginess in the work of some artists, they could improve their technique by gaining experience in portraiture. Mr Baker said he would like to see more of the ‘-‘pretty pleasant landscapes” and more drama . . . “thunderstorms for example” ... by New Zealand artists. Mr Mardon’s entry was lively, with positive brush strokes. “This has been a fantastic year for me—the best I have had,” Mr Mardon said. He paints actively outdoors for seven months of the year. The winning entry was done three months ago. He has sold a considerable number of his paintings this year to Overseas buyers. Mr Mardon is married and has two children.