NEW ZEALAND ART

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 139, 8 March 1941, Page 13

NEW ZEALAND ART

Centennial Show Opened

HISTORY IN PICTURES

One of the most brilliant art occasions iu Wellington for some time was the opening last night of the centennial exhibition of New Zealand art, which for the past year has been shown throughout the Dominion, and which will terminate with the display now being given in the National Gallery. Tne exhibition was opened before an assemblage of representative citizens by the Alinister of Internal Affairs, Air. Parry, tinder whose auspices the pictures, mostly on loan, were assembled an'd shown throughout New Zealand. Mr. A. AV. Alulligan, who presided, apologized for the absence of the Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, Air. J. AV. Heenan, who, he said, as soon as the Government had decided to incorporate in the centennial celebrations something of the cultural activities of the people of this country, had thrown himself'heart and soul into the work. He also thanked the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts for the assistance it had given in organizing tlie exhibition, and expressed indebtedness to Airs. Alurray Fuller, who had recently acted as a director of the exhibition.

Airs. Fuller said the paintings in this exhibition comprised the best pictorial history of the countrj’ ever shown, and iu the story it told of people an'd places in New Zealand, it not only showed an appreciation of art, but the progress of its citizens. The pictures covered more than 100 years, for they included examples of art by men of culture who came this way with Abel Tasman and Captain Cook. Then from 1840 onward came men, mostly engineers and surveyors, whose drawings and water colours showed the beauty of the country in its virgin state. Later still the art of the country was enriched by the work of thq Dutchman Petrus Van der Velden, and the Scot, James Al. Nairn, the former doing as much for the South Island a$ Nairn did for the North Island. 3'hen those fine water colourists, John Gully and J, C. Richmond, left behind them work which was a rich and valued asset. Mrs. Fuller also mentioned the names of Aliss D. K. Richmond, Aliss Stoddart, Francis Hodgkins, and David Low, the cartoonist, as New Zealand artiste who had become famous. Educational Value. Mr. Parry, in opening the exhibition, said that New Zealand’s achievements in the 100 years since its foundation hail been remarkable. “It is most fitting,” he said, “that in the centennial year of our Dominion we should be able to exhibit artistic historical records of the early days of our country. This particular phase of the exhibition should prove most interesting to students of New Zealand history, quite independent of their art appreciation. The spoken, and even the written, word may change, but a picture gives for all time a faithful representation of the conditions and the people as the artist saw them. The past 100 years have been responsible for great material changes and improvements in this Dominion, as elsewhere, and we should not forget that our culture has likewise advanced. Despite our distance from the recognized centres of art and culture in the Old AVorld, we have ample and concrete evidence in this Dominion of our knowledge and appreciation of the arts. “The exhibition opened in Dunedin in February, 19-10,” said Mr. Parry, “and has been shown jn 13 of the principal cities and towns of New Zealand. It has been received with enthusiasm wherever it has been exhibited and has proved of intense interest to citizens and of great educational value to school children and art students. The collection comprises approximately 370 exhibits and includes outstanding examples of contemporary art, side by side with the works of the early explorers and pioneers. Abnormal Conditions.

“This exhibition comes to us during the abnormal conditions caused by war. It should be none the less welcome, for we all recognize that it is up to us to do everything in our power to maintain unimpaired the business and cultural life of the community. By doing so we directly assist the war effort.

“Through the gracious permission of the King there is associated with this exhibition the Coronation Picture, an cil painting which was purchased by tlie four Dominions —Canada. Austnalia, South Africa, and New Zealand —and presented to the King as a mark of loyalty and affection on the occasion of his coronation.”