"ONE MAN SHOWS"

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 51, 28 August 1926, Page 8

"ONE MAN SHOWS"

PUBLIC PATRONAGE OF ART

ABOLITION OF ENTEANCE

CHARGE,

It was decided to recommend the incoming committee of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts at last night's j annual meeting that one-man exhibitions bo free to the public, the loss being small in view; of the fact that their educational value would probably be increased. . Mr. B. A. Killiek expressed the view that they must not develop academy exhibitions into anything resembling a shop for the sale of pictures. He believed that in English exhibitions there was no such' thing as a price catalogue. Miss, Bhind thought larger attendances would be secured if the exhibitions were better advertised. Many people did not know that such shows were on. ■ •

A member spoke in congratulatory terms of the shows held during the year. < That there might be a loss meant" nothing. It had even been suggested to him that all exhibitions should be held free of charge, and he thought, in the ease of small exhibitions, it would be of advantage if no charge wore made. It was difficult to get people there, and the charge might stop them. Many could only come for an hour or .so at lunch-time, and hesitated to pay 1b for that time.

Another member said it was inadvisable to make the exhibitions free. It would be better to allow. several visits for one ticket. To make no charge at all would tend to cheapen the show, as anything free was not appreciated.

Eeasons for the fact that the last day of one exhibition had the largest attendance were variously given. One speaker held that people had only just got to know about it, and another that it was because admirers of the pictures came for a last look.

• Mr. \V. S. Wauchop moved, and Mr. Killick seconded, that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee that, provided the finances would stand it, all one-man exhibitions be free to the public. A Member: "In tlie history of the academy, no recommendation to the incoming committee has had the slightest effect." (Laughter.) ~ ■ ■

The mover said that in England there were societies which gave shows of the works of prominent painters and sculptors, and these were free. They were well attended by the general public. The smaller Wellington exhibitors would not be cheapened by being free. '' The matter has been discussed many times," said the president (Mr. E. W. Hunt). "The council has to consider standing the extra expense. If our exhibitions were free, I think we would get better publicity from the newspapers. "We must look forward to debit balances on one-man shows, but it is for the academy to say whether' it is prepared to face the loss. I think they are to the advantage of the academy. If they are made free they will be of more educational value than they are at present."

Referring to various matters, Mr. Hunt agreed that sales were, not the main thing at exhibitions, but artists would think it hard if there were none.