Hampered By The He-Man

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31187, 11 October 1966, Page 1

Hampered By The He-Man

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Oct. 10. The arts in New Zealand were hampered by the he-man cult, but the upsurge in the publishing and buying of books was the first sign of getting away from it, said the artist and writer, Peter McIntyre, in Auckland today.

The main speaker at a literary luncheon to mark the opening of “Book Week,” Mr Mclntyre gave an outspoken

address in which he criticised a number of New Zealand and world attitudes. The young man with the creative bent was ignored in comparision with the Rugby player who trampled on the face of his opponent, he said. But, fortunately, a current explosion of publishing and book sales was an indication that New Zealanders were growing up. “We in New Zealand must remember that the creative efforts of man are generally spurred on by turmoil,” Mr Mclntyre said. “The fiendish Welfare State could produce a nation of the most stunted creatures on God’s earth and it is showing signs of doing it.”

Other comments by one oi New Zealand’s most successful painters, greeted by laughter and applause from the 250 guests, were:— "New Zealand has reasonably constructive critics of new books and of the professional and amateur theatre, but when it comes to painting, some critics are destructive beyond belief. “You may not agree with my style of painting because you feel it is too represents tional, but you must agree that a heading on a newspaper article saying ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’ was not accurate “Contrary to what is be lieved, you don’t see my

>f paintings in homes in Victoria s- avenue, Remuera. They are y too busy buying yachts. n “Australian artists have been producing genuine works J- and taking the world by storm if while other painters—like s- some in Auckland—have been 5, busy producing copies of ab- ?, tracts. e “The two countries of the Pacific that are destroying the h best that is in them are New e Zealand and Japan. They are committing suicide, convinced ’’ that concrete is progress. e “We are fortunate in New s- Zealand that we have the >, best bookshops in the world. ». Their bold imaginative fronts b- is one of the reasons for y this.”