N.Z. Paintings To Go On Tour In U S.

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32018, 19 June 1969, Page 28

N.Z. Paintings To Go On Tour In U S.

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 18. A collection of modern New Zealand paintings will be shown in the United States for the first time at the end of September.

The exhibition of 36 paintings had been organised by the External Affairs Department with the help of the Queen Elizabeth Arts Council. It is expected to tour the United States for two years. Last year an exhibition of Maori carvings on loan from the Dominion Museum had a successful tour of the United States. The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, which imports art collections from all parts of the world, approached the New Zealand Ambassador in Washington earlier this year to get a collection of New Zealand modern art to the United States. Twelve artists will exhibit three works of their own choice. The Smithsonian Institution will arrange for the

paintings to be shown round the country. Among the artists exhibiting is the director of the National Gallery, Mr Melvin Day, whose work is relatively unknown in New Zealand. The three paintings -he has chosen depict the significance of script and letter forms. One of the artists, Don Peebles, is from Christchurch. The other artists are Don Binney (Auckland), Rita Angus (Wellington), John Drawbridge (Wellington), Patrick Hanly (Auckland), Ralph Hotere (Auckland), Michael Illingworth (Auckland), Colin McCahon (Auckland), Milan Mrkusich (Auckland), Michael Smither (New Plymouth), and M. T. Woollaston (Motueka).