McCahon painting

Press, 8 September 1982, Page 24

McCahon painting

Sir, I have two favourite paintings in the Robert McDougall Art Gallery. One is Van der Velden’s "Dutch Funeral,” the other Colin McCahon’s “Tomorrow will be the same but not as this is.” For years now I have viewed these paintings on each of my frequent visits to the gallery and each time have been impressed anew by the subtlety and beauty of their very different styles. I look forward to adding the new McCahon to my favourites and congratulate the gallery on its purchase.— Yours, etc., S. H. COLYER. September 4. 1982.

Sir, - After reading the correspondence over the last few days, I congratulate Mr Coley on his recent purchase. With one stroke of his pen, he has excited more interest and discussion’ in the Robert McDougall Art Gallery and its possessions, than an equivalent amount spent on a dozen less controversial works ever would have done. That is his job. Art appreciation, thankfullly, is still a subjective matter. Maryrose and Alastair Ansell, for instance (September 6), prefer A.A. signs. Personally, though I admire this artist's use of colour and his or her sense of direction, I find the works uniformly static. However, that is only ,my opinion, and far be it from me to deny the right of the Automobile Association to spend its money on displaying so many of them. That is its job. — Yours, etc.,

COLIN SLADE. September 6, 1982.

Sir, — Judging by the letters on the McCahon painting. its intentions have been misunderstood. In his earlier work where a recognisable image was presented, the subject matter served an important purpose: that of symbolisation. Light also was significant, being symbolic of a spiritual light. This is the painting of a

man groping in darkness, knowing that somewhere there is a light which can illuminate for him life’s meaning. The pure land would be all that is of God and should not be taken in a literal sense. This is a painting of an idea therefore the form in which it is displayed is appropriate. It does communicate • to the viewer and this is the one thing which McCahon wished. May it shake people out of their complacency. Congratulations to the buyer. — Yours, etc.. PETER CARSON. September 5, 1982.

Sir,—Some years ago, Professor Simpson awarded the Hays prize of $3OO to Colin McCahon for his controversial painting of three rectangles in black and white. I recall his enthusiasm over the degrees of blackness in one. So. many citizens were puzzled then as now by the professor's choice that a crowd turned up on Sunday afternoon to be let into the secret. Standing before the McCahon, we heard the knowledgeable professor say that it did something for him; he did 1 not say what that something was and what had motivated him to award the prize. However, as a concession to the future ignoramuses, perhaps, McCahon has begun to write on his paintings. Rembrandt and Van der Velden did not see that necessity, and everybody can appreciate their works. — Yours, etc., V. H. ANDERSON. September 4, 1982.