THE ACADEMY

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 73, 23 September 1925, Page 9

THE ACADEMY

AMONG THE WATERCOLOURS MODELLING AND ARTCRAFTS MINIATURES AND PICTURES IN : SILK. •■.•■■■' The members of the executive of the New Zealand Academy are.understood to be highly gratified at the attendance, of the public at the 1925 Exhibition at the Gallery,, Whitmore. street. They and the artists concerned are also pleased at the frequency with which the little red seal, indicating a sale, appears on. the pictures. Water-colours (and a few oils) are to be found in the upper gallery, the walls of which are rather crowded. Some notes on the. works of artists exhibiting in both oils and watercolours have already been made. The many admirers of the work of Miss D. K. Richmond, will be pleased to see some of her works on the walls. Among them is a drawing of "Anemones '' (306), arranged in a goldcoloured cylindrical jar.- This was sold as soon as the exhibition opened. It is a beautiful work in design, drawing, and colour. But Miss Richmond has also several r landscapes hung near this picture^ notably, "Mount Egmont" (307), not,as itis usually, depicted for tourist consumption, but as proving Miss Richmond to' be an artist whose work is thoroughly) sound and consistently even. Almost opposite "is a group of watercolours- by Ronald M'Kenzie.. They are remarkable for their'generally bold, yigdrous treatment. and the strong sense of colour displayed. "The Country Cottage" (209) is the work of an obviously «lever eolourist and good draughtsman. W. 8. Dudley's "Avignon" (263) and "Arab Cafe" (262) should be sought out and studied.: •' E. -K. Robison's drawings of Chinese, children will be found among the water-colours near the stairs. They are more' realistic than some of her work of European children shown in past' exhibitions,'and are very, desirable, pictures to, possess. E. X., Robison is also well represented by examples • of 'artistic' jewellery. ■'. ■.: „ ; V ' . ;'. ' Mr. H. Liriley Richardson, E.BA., has a number of admirable drawings —one, "In Fancy Dress" (221), is purchased. . "Innocence" (222) is a little indefinite as to the right eye. "Sunrise, Mount Sefton" (219) is poetical in the highest' degree; but humour is expressed in the drawing "Rough Weather" ; (220), although how umbrellas could .be ' held up against the strong wind as shown by the sweep of the'rain suggests a problem. " Off to the Seaside" (382), a drawing by Mr. Richardson, shows him as a competent "book illustrator. The Lady Alice Fergusson confers distinction on the exhibition by showing two drawings, of. architectural subjects, a quaint tower, 1 "Holm'enkollen" (168) and the "Cloisters, Wells r Cathedral" (169), work that on its merits would^command notice.Susan Rolfe is ah exhibitor whose work is an important feature in the exhibition, especially her-Oriental de-/ sign on vellum for a fan. This closely approximates the fine work: of Chinese artists. Her ; drawings" of Old Hastings (274 and 275) ; are in .striking contrast to the intricate work put into the fan, and of artistic as well ,&s- topographical interest., Rosa Sawtell 'a "Canterbury Harvest - Field" (280) and "Homestead " (269); will prove very welcome instances of her industry and ability as a water-col-ourist. '■ ■ .. .''.'.'■■' .•■■ . •■••■ •■■ :; - . : .;. Mabel Hill's portrait; in oils (36) has been noticed. Her water-colours will/command and reward attention. They include "Roses" (326) exquisitely painted; coast (scenes and t; still life in tempera (327). Her work in variably gives strength to, local ex- 1 hibitions. "September Morning" (164), by J. L. Palethorpe, offers an excuse for breaking the .Tenth Commandment. Strong work in treatment and colour is contributed by: T. A. M'Obrmack. Sydney Higgs 's work, too, will rightly make many friends during this. exhibition. His management of blues and greys is exceedingly clever, especially in the picture of Tasmania. Beatrice Harvey's " Napier" (345) should give unalloyed pleasure to all t who see it. ;. . Mr. Murray; Fuller has a meritorious '■■"Southerly in August" (170), his only -work shown. : Alice F. Whyte'a clever work is to be-seen in "Still Waters" (315), and especially "A Foggy, Morning" (317). "The" House in the Trees". (319) and "The Sunny Hour'? (320), by L. Scott, will be regarded by many as highly successful for their" ■ design, colour, and decorative qualities. Esmond Atkinson's drawings are always personal, that is, they owe noth; ing to anybody else ' in .-, their influences except that they have some points of resemblance: to the . manner, of. Miss Richmond in' - their fluidity and their restraint in colour. They always justify-.their inclusion in the academy's exhibition, .and objective as: they may seem, they are truthful transcripts of things seen,, atmospheric nuances noticed by an observant draughtsman. ; Cora Wilding's drawings of "Taorminrt" (338) .and Tahiti ' (342), are apt to be passed by near the stairs. They are works of which the academy may woll be pleased to exhibit. The "Black Fantail or Purapura", (366) and' "Tni on Flaxbush". (255), by Fanny ■ Richardson, should encourage artists to do more to apply native flora, and avifauna to decorative purposes. ''. . ■'■ .-■ ■-./ . -.' „ Other exhibitors, in the water-col-ours upon whose work it is tempting to? dwell are Agnes Paul, F. Pritchard, Elizabeth Perry, J. E. Pinney> Gwynrieth Eichardson, Linda Monra, A. Ij. Avery, Ella Spieer (a fine if ambitiously eomprehensiyo ..panorama from the Waitakeries), S. E. Salter; E. D. Jackson, H. W. Rice, Frances HaLstead, Marion Tylee (a very industrious artist), Beatrice Sfeddon (flower painter), R. T. Little, F. Boyes, Maud Cook, Basil Honour, F. R. Alexsmdor (a modest study of the seashore, 233), and W. Fell. J. A. Heginbotham, a faithful exhibitor, is also well represented.' . There is not much in the way of modelling this year. Many people will be found looking at Mr., J. Ellis's portrait of Colonel Carberry, and some may not be satisfied with the; likeness; but after all, the modeller or sculptor can fashion but one expression of his subject's face at oa* time, ud Mr. £llu hu do»e

that. It; is an excellent likeness, and more than that, a genuine work of art. Mrs. Vivian Smith exhibits "Lilian," (401) and M. Igglesden "The Patron of Music" (402), which should'attract favourable notice. A piece of wood carving of Italian design by Mr. F. Course (399) is a notable example of highly skilled craftsmanship. , Trevor Lloyd, a caricaturist, would, hardly be thought responsible for the etchings he -, has made Of New Zealand bush, especially of fern trees, and the jungle undergrowth.- In his "Haunted Tree" etching (132) he has given free rein to his humour. Pictures worked in silks (378) and in Tiuman hair (371), with infinite patience arid in exquisite taste are shown: by Linda Monro, Palmerston North. They are delicate works of art, and are kept behind silk curtains." ■ ■ ' . '. ■ I '' ■ . ;. .■■ '...'•', Mrs. M. E. Simpson's miniatures have naturally given great pleasure to all interested ( in' this fine display of examples pf a beautiful buf*' not widely practised art. The miniatures will be found on a screen in the main gallery. -There is strength and dignity in the bronze, a "Bain's Head" (397). by H. Knight Baker. ■■: : Architectural drawings are exhibit-; ed by Messrs. F. de J. Clere, Gray, Young, W. Stanley, and W. Fearni