DOMINIONS' ARTISTS

Evening Post, Volume 137, Issue CXI, 10 June 1926, Page 9

DOMINIONS' ARTISTS

KING AND QUEEN VISIT

EXHIBITION

ROYAL RECOLLECTIONS OF

INTEREST,

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, 18th March.

Their Majesties the King and Queen this morning spent nearly an hour at the Spring Gardens Gallery, whither they went to view the exhibition of paintings and etchings, the work of Dominions' artists in England. The exhibition, it will be remembered, was arranged by the executive of the Dominions' Artists' Club, a special committee having been formed to i carry out the duties entailed by making known the project, the reception of exhibits, their selection and hanging. Tho King and Queen, who were accompanied by Lord Claud Hamilton and Colonel de Satge, were received by the chairman aud ; the vice-chairman of the club, Mr. 11. Nitschke (South Australia) and Dr. G. A. Pfister (West Australia), respectively. They made a complete tour of the three galleries and expressed much interest in all they saw. A good many of the artists were present, one of whom, Mrs. Dorothy MacAvity (Canada), had the honour of being presented to the Queen. Mrs. MacAvity painted, several years ago, the official portrait of the Prince of Wales, which is hung at Government .House, Canada. RECOGNITION OP ROTORTJA. While examining tho exhibits in the main gallery, the King was much struck by a "Portrait of Self," by A. J. Murch, a talented youth, who holds an Australian Travelling Art Scholarship. It is a clever and pleasing piece of work. The Canadian scene, Lake Moranie, by Leonard Richmond (Canada) reminded the King that he had camped there, and when he came to Mr. R. S. Hellaby's picture, "A New Zealand Geyser," showing a peep at Rotorua, the King said:' "I know that spot. I remember having stood on that projection. It is an interesting and wonderful place." Another of Mr. Richmond's Canadian scenes is of Lake Louise. The King turned to the Queen and said: "You have been there, haven't you?" "Yes,' was the reply. The King told those with him that Lake Louise was named I after one of his aunts. AN OLD FRIEND. One of the most striking portraits is a large canvas by Mr. James Quinn (Australia) of Sir George Reid, late High Commissioner for the CommonI wealth. "It is a speaking likeness of a dear fellow whom I knew and liked very much," said the King, while the1 Queen added: "I did like his speeches. He was so merry." Mr. J. H. Cohen's (Australia) "Portrait of a Lady"—in black with a. crimson rose and crimson facing to her dress—pleased the King very much, and when he and the Queen stood in front of the brilliantly executed picture, "Pool in Komati, Transvaal" (by Bertie Everard, South Africa), they were interested in trying to discover the small dog that is swimming to the bank, and thus accounts for the vivid circles in the otherwise still j water. The picture, heavy with paints of flame and orange, requires to be seen some distance away for tho best effect. "My Mother Among the Wild Flowers" is an Australian scene painted by the New Zealand artist, Mr. James F. Scott (formerly of Dunedin). As he approaehod this the King said: "It is a long time since I was in Australia, but I remember this typical scenery vey woll." WHAT THE QUEEN LIKED. Both going and coming tho Queen, stood some time before "Toby Tempted," by the fine South African artist, Mr. J. H. Amshewitz. It is a picture of still life, "Toby" being a China jug, his temptation centring round a china figure of a small cupid. This picture is full of vivid colour and rich detail, and passing it the second time Her Majesty remarked: "To my mind, it is the finest picture in the exhibition." It bears the red seal, .which indicates that it already has a now owner. In the gallery where the etchings are so attractive the Queen honoured the South African artist, Mrs. Dorothy Kay (Port Elizabeth) by buying one of her exhibits. This is a study called "Romance," the title being depicted by two lovers—minute figures—sitting high •on the rocks, quite oblivious of the fact that they are already surrounded by the incoming tide. Before the portrait of Mr. C. R. Allen, by Edith M. Fry (Australia), the King stood and remarked: "It is extraordinary that oach of tho last HJgh Commissioners for Now Zealand bhoulJ. have a son who is blind." It was remarked by someone in the party that Mr. Allen had lost his sight in tho war, but the King corrected this statcmont. "I know the ca,se quite well," he said. "It waß Sir Thomas Mackenzie's son who lost his sight in the war; not the son of Sir James Allen." Nearby is Mr. A. R. Fraser 's spirited bronze statuette, "The Bomber." The King was much struck by the New Zealand sculptor's life-like presentation. The exhibits of Bess.Norris (Australia) also were among other canvases that aroused Royal interest, and the Queen waß much pleased with. Ruth Bannister's wood carvings.