Open Art Exhibition Standard Criticised

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32323, 15 June 1970, Page 12

Open Art Exhibition Standard Criticised

The open exhibition of the Canterbury Society of Arts was instituted to give persons not yet granted working member status by the society an opportunity to exhibit their work. The exhibition has been noted for the generally low standard of entry, and 1970 has proved no exception. The wisdom of continuing to hold an open exhibition must be questioned, for while the society is to be commended for wishing to encourage art in the community, it must also be concerned about the standard of what it sponsors for public consumption. No. 40, “Kitchen Dresser” by Graham Jones, is a work apart in the exhibition. Jones

; is a man seriously concerned s with painting, his ability to s draw, to arrange, in this case - the paraphenalia ordinarily i found in the kitchen, and his r control of a narrow range of earthy colours, make this a 1 successful work. i Too often when serious ) attention is given to other paintings in the exhibition, ([deficiencies in the . most ) (elementary areas of colour,composition and tonality ■[make further consideration of' • little avail. ,! A few pieces of ornaI [mental wood and a bronze t! bird are listed in the cata-' (logue under the misleading; (title of sculpture. '! The exhibition will remain'; ; open until June 28. >| —G.T.M. 1