EXHIBITION PLANNED

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31316, 11 March 1967, Page 21

EXHIBITION PLANNED

Sidney Nolan Painting

“The Kimberleys,” a landscape painting by the Australian painter Sidney Nolan, may be exhibited in Christchurch. The painting was presented to the Government by the Australian Prime Minister (Mr Holt) when he visited New Zealand in February. At the Christchurch reception for Mr Holt, the president of the Canterbury Society of Arts (Mr S. E. Mair) suggested to the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) and Mr Hott that the painting be publicly exhibited in the four main centres before it was hung, presumably in Wellington.

Mr Holyoake agreed and the suggestion was confirmed by letter. At the reception Mr Holt told Mr Mair that the painting of the Kimberley Ranges, in central Western Australia, was “rather hard for us to part with.” Sidney Nolan is not yet represented in the McDougall Gallety in Christchurch, nor, it is believed, in any private collection in Christchurch. His works are included in the permanent collection of both the Wellington and Dunedin galleries. The society hopes to have as a special exhibit at its autumn exhibition the Sidney Nolan painting which the Dunedin Art Gallery possesses. An approach has been made to the gallery trustees to see if the society can borrow the work.

The society has also applied to the National Gallery of Victoria for the exhibition of 30 paintings by modern European artists which will be an Auckland Festival attraction this year. The Vivtorian gallery’s director and assistant-director are agreeable to the society’s request, but the gallery trustees have yet to consider it If they agree the paintings will be exhibited in June and July.