CORRESPONDENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 50, 28 February 1908, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

ART FOR ART'S SAKE. TO THE EDITOB Sir, — It is the custom in Wellington for embryo artists to hold exhibitions of their pictorial productions, tho exhibits are always heralded under the banner of "Art," and the public is asked to criticise, admire, and, most important, to_ purchase. No one would cnvil at these displays were it not that there is a very important side of the question, which is occassionally overlooked by newspaper reporters, when "writting up" sucii exnibits. They should remember that art in this .Dominion is as yet an infant, with few, if any, to guide its wavering footsteps. A laudatory critique in a reputable pap:r, is unwarranted by its object, is capable' 1 of woofully misleading the youthful aspirant in art and to lead him along a tangled path, which ends In nothingness. I am not nn exhibitor or seller of pictures, but write solely in the interests of art in our community, and because of an article published by you upon thj "pictures" which are now on view in one of these exhibitions in this city. However tho cognoscenti' may differ as to what constitutes "Art"' in the abstract, there can be no uncertainty as to what are the essential elements in pictorial art, and some at hast of these eloments must be apparent in a picture to entitle it to recognition as such. There should be drawing, colour reposo (dependent upon harmony, contrast, and values), composition, tone, that elusive quality termed "atmosphere," and those other attributes so difficult of definition which go to make what is termed "inspiration" or "soul." Now, with two, or possibly three, exceptions, the works, which are highly praised by your writer, are devoid of any one of these essential elements The* obvious excuse for this futility of effort is that the artists are expressing their emotions in the manner of the modern "impressionist" school, but let art students, indeed all lovers of art, be not misled by such sophistry. The true impressionist picturo can only be produced by a past master of tho school of "Work, not "Splash." Years of study in reproducing detail and in all ths branches of techique are necessary before one can attempt a:i "impression" with any hope of success. Art is a stern t.isk-mistress, and it will be sad indeed if our students are led by the temporary vogue- of "hurry, skurry, and splash" into disregard of tho true foundation upon which alone an artistic career can be established. This foundation is work.— l am, etc., PERSPECTIVE. Wellington, 27th February, 1908.