AUTUMN SHOW

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 197, 17 May 1941, Page 13

AUTUMN SHOW

New Zealand Academy Of

Fine Arts

WORK OF YOUNG ARTISTS

Members and art-lovers attended in force the opening of the annual autumn show of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts in the National Art Gallery last night. A very general opinion was expressed that the standard of painting displayed on the walls of the main gallery was well up to standard, if not a shade in advance of it. In his opening address the president, Mr. G. G. G. Watson, made special reference to the work of the younger school, some of whom were making their debut as exhibitors in Wellington.

“A particularly gratifying feature of this exhibition,” said the president, “is the work of a number of young artists who are making remarkable progress in their work. Particularly noticeable among this group, which includes others, you will be impressed with the work of two young Christchurch artists, Deans and Sutton, and a young Wellington artist, Miss Vickery. I particularly mention A. A. Deans, whose works in this exhibition have been done while on service overseas and are of sueh a quality as well to justify his appointment as official war artist with the New Zealand Forces. We have urged on the Government the making of such an appointment, but though other parts of the Empire have long since made such appointments, and this Dominion did so in the last war, New Zealand has done nothing in the matter though an artist such as Deans is available at the scene of operations. “Before 1 declare the exhibition open I would like to refer to the series of Sunday afternoon concerts which Mrs. Murray Fuller has been good enough on behalf of the academy to arrange. They will be held in this gallery every Sunday, during the winter, commencing on June 15. They are a new departure so far as we are concerned, though common overseas as a means of mingling interest in musical art and pictorial art. Some of our leading musicians are taking part in programmes of a very high order. Her Excellency, Lady Newall. is keenly interested in the matter and has expressed her intention of being present whenever her other engagements permit. The proceeds will be paid to the patriotic funds. You will, I trust, show your approval by attending these concerts whenever possible.” The president said that because of the lighting restrictions the exhibition would not this year be open at night. For the same reason the tearoom was not opened last evening, supper being served in the main gallery.