NEW ZEALAND ARTIST

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 107, 2 November 1926, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND ARTIST

PROMISING LANDSCAPES

FORMER WELLINGTON: STUDENT.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

LONDON. 25th Sept.

Mr. John L. Moore, of^ Taranaki and Havelock North, a former student at the Wellington Technical School, is showing a group of water-colour sketches at the Graham Gallery," New Bond street. This young New Zealander arrived here about two and a half years ago, and studied drawing first at the Goldsmith's College, New Cross, then for some months at the British Academy at Home, and also at the London School of Art, Kensington. He has had no lessons in colour, which makes his collection of paintings all the more remarkable. They consist of some forty-four studies in all—twenty-four of Norwegian mountain and lake scenery, seven of Italian scenes, seven of English, and six of Scottish landscape. Of these the Norwegian group is undoubtedly the best. They are the result of a tour in the early spring of this year, during which Mr. Moore spent all his time at the easel. In spite of his limited experience, Mr. Moore's work compares more than favourably with that of more mature and bet-ter-known artists. The Norwegian studies are of mountains, mist, snow, and mountain lakes—subjects which give scope for atmosphere rather than for wealth of colouring. The artist has shown considerable mastery over his subjects. With great economy of line and colour he has been able to get some splendid effects. There is no indecision in his work. He knows what he wants and gets it with what appears to be the least amount of effort. He ia especially happy in depicting the mountain mist effects and the silver sheen of the lakes and fiords. Some of his studies arc less carefully conceived than others, but the better ones undoubtedly , give promise that the artist will be heard of again. A number of the English and Scottish landscapes indicate that lie handles the richer colours with some dexterity as well.

__ Mr. Moore willl be returning to New Zealand with his sister, Miss Evelyn Moore, on 14th December. Miss Moore has been studying pianoforte at the Guildhall School of Music, taking the teachers' course.

In referring to Mr. Moore's exhibits, "The Times" critic remarks: "They are promising because, in the interests of a free and expressive play of the medium, the artist allows his considerable powers as a draughtsman to be taken for granted —it is necessary to look at such architectural subjects as, 'Piazza del Popolo, Rome/ and 'San Giorgio from the Campo Sportivo,' to see how well he draws —and also because the colour effects are got out of a few reticent tones by truth of values. As a rule Mr. Moore is best when slightest, as in 'Loken Foss, Olden/ 'Blakset Mountain/ and the Highland subject 'Eilean a Goil.' 'The Rose Window, Durham/ is a remarkably good, swift summary with the brush."