Town And Country Art Club

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31378, 25 May 1967, Page 8

Town And Country Art Club

The annual exhibition of the Town and Country Art Club is being held at the Durham Street Art Gallery. To the seasoned gallery visitor, conditioned to judge art by its aesthetic content, these rather touristy views of snug litle New Zealand seem to have little to offer. To dismiss them on this count, however, would be .beside the point; they are not intended for him but for the wide unenlightened public which likes a pretty view, preferably of a favourite haunt. Most members of the Town and Country Club would readily admit that their sights are not set high; that their painting is a hobby free of pretentious aspirations and indulged in only for enjoyment. With this in mind noone would expect the standard to be exceptional. At the same time some of the works do warrant special mention. One of these is No. 8, a landscape by K. von Tunzelmann (illustrated). This painter has a better than usual grasp of fundamentals. The tone values are

good in this work, there is a sense of volume in the landscape forms and the colour, although quiet, is well varied. The paiiting justifies its central position on the wall. The exhibits of W. Cumming are also worthy of note. Again we see sensitivity to tone values—the darks are never too black, the lights never too white. In No. 185 one appreciates the strength of the tree trunks and their relationship to each other also convinces. This painter does not present us with the obvious; she always has something to say. Another interesting work is No. 44 by N. Tilly. The rock forms are conscientiously observed here although their presentation is marred by over-use of the white highlights. This is a case where more could have been said with less. Both Rosemary Perry and Nola Barron have produced good pottery, particularly the latter. Both demonstrate a concern for the fundamental forms of their pieces keeping decoration to a minimum. It is pleasing to see members tackling drawing assignments . from the life. Both

i Nos. 115 and 120 are straighti forward and by no means un- ■ successful attempts to combat the subtle problems inherent - in the drawing of a human i head.

The hanging committee is to be congratulated for giving each exhibit some breathing space for one is not conscious of crowding. —D.P.