NEW ZEALAND ART

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 240, 7 July 1931, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND ART

Exhibition at Wanganui

HIGH STANDARD OF WORK (By a Contributor.) Wanganui has again been fortunate in securing a collection of pictures thoroughly representative of New Zealand art. The number of exhibits is very large, and the high standard of work clearly proves that the artists of this country are a force to be reckoned with. The crafts section is also much larger than in past years and of a higher standard, thanks to the efforts of Mr. b. A. Cross and Mrs. A. JI. Latham. A gratifying feature of the exhibition is the continued progress made by Wanganui artists and the number of younger aspirants, whose work shows promise for the future. ' The Auckland Society of Arts has sent a very fine selection of paintings, among them Mrs. d’Auvergne Boxall’s picture “Winter in London,” which is a gem. Mr. John Weeks is strongly represented. “Pont Neuf, Paris,” .and “A Quaint Corner, Paris,” are possibly the best of his oil-paintings, though • his water-colour “Morocco” claims equal attention. Miss Ida G. Eise shows great mastery of technique and colour in “The Ebb Tide” and “The Manakau from Langholme.” Miss Ida H. Carey, another regular contributor, is at her best in. “A Dutch Girl Spinning.” Miss I. JI. Copeland’s “Old Street, Rouen,” is a most attractive picture. Miss Dorothy Ashton and Miss. Ella Spicer have sent work of more than usual interest, “Winter Flowers” by the first-named artist and "One Tree Hill” by Miss Spicer are the most deserving of mention. There is something decidedly original in “Trumpet Lilies” by Miss Minnie White, and “New Zealand Native Flowers” by Miss Alice F. White is among the best of her contributions. Miss Una Garlich, Mr. Vernon Brown, H. H. Pattie, Miss Ethel Jones, Miss Hilda Wiseman, D. Vallance Young and Miss Lucretia Johnson help to make the Auckland section a very strong one. . ..From Wellington there is Mr. Roland Hipkins’s picture “A Wellington Suburb,” which was one of the 1 chief attractions of the autumn exhibition. Miss D. K. Richmond sends a full quota of her delicate and masterly water-colours, which form a centre of interest, in one of the bays. Mrs. JI. E. R. Tripe displays three delightful pictures, “The Bathers,” "Woolworth’s,” and “St. Ives.” Mr. Marcus King has favoured us with the best we have yet seen of his work in “Jenny’s Leap" and “Landscape, Takaka.” Miss Jean McKay shows marked development in her water-colours. Sidney H. Higgs, T. A. McCormack, Miss Gwynneth Richardson, W. S. Wauchop, JI. C. Whitt and G. Lewens are well represented, while R. A. Vane’s water-colours are strong and effective. Jir. Nugent Welch has only sent one picture, a small watercolour, “Near Wellington.” Mr. H. Linley Richardson, R.8.A., contributes seven pictures from Wellington, and these occupy a prominent position in the bay devoted to oil-paintings. 'B. Jlunro Wilson, from New Plymouth, and J. L. Jloore, from Havelock North, send excellent work. From Jfasterton the contributors are Jlisses E. Cresswell, Clara Cockerell. . E. P. Mannsell and E. Jlartyn Johns. Jir. Robert Donn, of Dunedin, sends some striking work, of which “Snow Showers” deserves special mention.

The ranks of the Wanganui artists have been considerably strengthened by the inclusion, of Miss E. M. Collier and Mr. Vincent Evans, A.R.C.A. Miss Collier sends many works, both figure and landscape, with strongly marked characteristics. She excels in colour and tone values. Mr. Evans appears at his best in his,etchings and a fine bas-relief portrait of the late J. T. Ward. Mrs. V. E. Whiteman has a number of welldrawn and carefully-executed animal pictures, several of which have already been exhibited at Wellington and Christchurch. “A Farm Team” is possibly the best of her efforts, but her large picture “On the Road” is seen to great advantage. Mr. C. Hay Campbell is represented by a nude study, “The Captive,” and “The River Pilot,” which - attracted flattering attention at the last Wellington exhibition. “St. Heliers Bay” and “Karakn Bay” are pictures of Auckland scenes exhibited previously nt Christchurch. Mr. Hay Campbell’s versatility is further shown in the figure picture “An Old Garden,” “The Wanganui River at Pipiriki.” and several brilliantly executed flower studies. Mr. J. A. Ncame sends some excellent etchings and pen drawings and Mrs. E. A. Nenme’s best contribution is “San Lovetts,” a directly executed watercolour. Mr. T. Hollow-ay’s work shows a steady and marked improvement. “Autumn Berries” and “The Port. Castlecliff,” are the most attractive. Mr. Spencer Smith’s “On the Hall Table.” is wellexecuted and designed, and his watercolour of the “Collegiate School Chapel” will interest those connected with the school. Mrs. E. Doust and Mrs. W. Cox show some excellent flower pictures. Miss G. Mason has made great strides, her work now showing to advantage amid other pictures. Mrs. M. Von Haast has excelled herself in her two little water-colours. “Karioi” and “Low Tide, Motuekn.” Mrs. L. Hogg’s contributions are varied nnd interesting. Mr. J. L. Hutton’s “Portrait Study” is strong and typical of the modern movement in nrt. Of the younger members. Miss Betty Paul shows astonishing ability for one of her age. Her picture of “Mushrooms” and “The Old Church” might well be the work of a mature artist. Zoe Featherstone, A. C. Barnes, Leita Cook. Alison Smith, Pauline Christie and Myra Walpole nil show distinct promise in their efforts.

Mr. W. H. Pratt, a veteran contributor. has two fine wntcr-colour pictures, “Riwnka Estuary” and “Evening. Tasman Bay.” From Christchurch Mr. H. F. Nicholl sends two fine oil-paintings, “Wnimnkariri” and “A New Zealand River-bed.” Mr. R. Wallwork, A.R.C.A., sends several characteristic and effective pictures, “A Nile Waterwheel” and “Across the Silent Stream” deserving special mention. Sir. Menzies Gibb is also to the fore with his delicate and charming landscapes.