EXHIBITION OF PICTURES

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 102, 30 April 1921, Page 9

EXHIBITION OF PICTURES

(By "Rawhitf.")

FIVE SUCCESSFUL PAINTERS.

An art exhibition of unusual interest is being held at Mr, Murray Fuller's gallery in M'ponald'a. Building, .Willisstueet. This is the first "special" show arranged by Mr. Fuller, who represents a' number of New Zealand's leading painters. The present exhibition is of a quality rarely seen in Wellington, for it comprises pictures representative of the best work of five professional artists —Messrs. Nugent Welch, Archibald F. Nicoll, F. M'Crackan, Robert Johnson, and J. Week*. The standard of! the work shown is unusually high, and it is rot too much io say that each, picture is worthy of admiration.

Mr. Welch has never .shown better work than some of the pictures in this gallery. Several are seascape studies made on .the western coast, and the ocean's mood in both calm and storm is shown with wonderful sincerity. The artist eeems imbued with, the very spirit of the sea—the result of an innate love of nature, combined with painstaking study and a mastery of the medium in which he works , Mr. F. M'Crackett shows pictures of both English, and New Zealand landscape. "A Surrey Hilltop" (in oils) expresses the woodland charm of England; one looks through a lovely glade, all dappled with golden sunlight and green shade, and sees the 1 long level lines of the weald beyond. How different in form and colour is "The Mangrove Swamp"T-a North Auckland landscape, a bit of untamed country that is yet truly picturesque. "A Surrey Road" is perfectly delightful in its simplicity. The same artist shows a large picture in oils, "Evening at Newfyn," which reveals this beautiful Cornish." village basking in the warm glow of sunset. Mr. A. F. Nicoll's contributions are distinguished by their freshness of putlook and'technique; his water-colours always possess a subtle harmony pi vigour and delicacy. "Autumn Morning, Wellington," has a bright, warm foreground, contrasting with the soft grey mist which enfolds the distant city and harbour. Similar treatment characterises "A Hills Road," a late afternoon vision of the Canterbury Plains. Several interesting English studies are shown by Mr. J. Weeks. "Evening, St. Ives," is a subject that provides plenty of scope for picturesque treatment, and the artist has treated it in a free and colourful manner. "Kingston-on-Thames" is a study of one of London's bridges. A spacious airy scene is "Narrow Neck, Auckland.' Mr. W. Robert Johnson has been devoting himself lately to seashore subjects, and her-3 are several paintings which show that he has had considerable success. "The Fishing Rock," with a wide stretch of wet sands, is admirably done. Few painters can suggest "wetness" so %'ell as this. "The Wave" is full of vigour, the crash of the sea and the solid form of the rock are equally satisfactory. There are many other paintings on view besides those noted above, while interest is added to the exhibition by two pictures by Mr. A. Dattilo Rubbo. of Sydney. The exhibition will be continued for a few days longer. Mr. Fuiler states that visitors have been numerous, and a number of sales have been njf.de.