SKETCHES GOOD & BAD

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 114, 17 May 1927, Page 10

SKETCHES GOOD & BAD

N.Z. ACADEMY'S ANNUAL EXHIBITION

(By "X.Y.Z.")

This .year's B kclch exhibition of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts has produced f|uito a good amount of pleasing wo.lt. ;i ;uio are also many sketches pregnant with promise for coming years and as usual, there aro a few exhibits which ono wonders found a place on the walls.

Mr. Nugent Welch's name is such a byword for all that is excellent m watcr-coloul- that the observer instinctively searches for lii H work as soon as he enters the gallery. Ani ho will not be disappointed in what he finds. Nature is so grossly libelled in so many "daubs" that it is a relief sometimes to sec her pictured as sho should be Mr. Welch is one of those who treats the '.ady with patience and respect, and in return ho achieves that elusive thin<r "a likeness." In "The Beach, Takaka," with its silver wind of water in ".Summer Gold," and "In the Fields" there is faithful reproduction and quiet, yet vivid colouring, which compels admiration.

Another artist with a very definite understanding and individual cxpressiou of landscape and seascape work js Mr. E. J. Waghorn, whose smooth and pleasant work is perhaps best seen in "Ebb Tide,", "Sandy Nook," and "Wet Sandß."' There is a serenity in his work which has been much commented on.

Still life does not seem to Lave so many exponents this year as of old, and one notes a falling off in " cornucopiac" studies of fruit and pumpkins. Neither have bowls of flowers inspired many to effort —with the notable exception'of Miss D. K. Bichmond, who undoubtedly knows just how to treat such a subject, and do«s so in "Zinnias." This is a colourful study of those vivid flowers posed over a polishv ed table, and with a delicately-traced and tinted tapestry behind. The landscapes by the same artist are in quieter mood.

There is always a little knot of admirers round the oil paintings of Mr. Marcus King, when visitors in any number are present at the gallery. "Eucalypti, Central Park," with its almost tropical colouring,,is nevertheless a faithful copy of a difficult subject, and so is the peep of Wellington harbour in sunny weather.

, Mr. W. Menzies Gibb has a number ; of sketches .^ hung, and they always attract notice! But there is rather a "Christmas cardy" air about some though not all of his work. "Koad and River" does not show this fault, if i.fault it be, neither does "Sandhills," 'or "A Tranquil Stream," which is quite delightful. Mr. Gibbs has also a sepia sketch of fields near Cashmere on the central stand.

Mr. E. Murray Fuller's exhibits are rather disappointing, and surely show the influence of Nugent Welch. Mr.- "VV. S. "Wauchop is another who is under the spell of that artist. '' Sppng,'' by Mrs. M. E. R. Tripe, is a chaining figure study, but there is lackingya certain youth and sprightliness which one somehow connects with the "time for love."

Mr. W. Hay Campbell "is a wellknown and prolific exhibitor, and many will like his " PhyllisV and other studies, some figure, some landscape. The more imaginative side of painting is seen in the work of Mr. Russell Clark (Christchurch) and Miss Betty Rhind, both .c'f whom show charming decorative 'sketches. Miss Maude Steele's pen and ink sketches, too, are most delicate fancies.

Miss E. J. D. Turner has some splendid etchings on the central stand, as well as one or two crayon sketches full of life, and a striking black and Avhite, "The Palace of the ,Popes, Avignon.?' The only ivood-cuts on exhibition are two good ones by W. J. Coo'ch. Mr. T. A. M'Cormick cannot be congratulated on "A Sunlit Road" or "Blue Haze.". His trees have not yet been seen on this earth.

Horses form the 1 subject of all Mr George Lewen's work. The horses are well done, but th,e backgrounds arc not, and undoubtedly detract from the central theme. The crayon sketch ;'The Hill Top," is the best, although it has not so much action as the others. • ■.

Mr. Nelson Isaac shows some good pencil work this year, and also a delicate study of "St. Ives Bridge, Hants." Miss Hilda Hadfield has two life stud ies on the' ground floor, but the best sketch of this young and promising artist is "The Beginning of the North Shore Bridge, Sydney," which is hung upstairs.

Other pleasing work is shown by Mr. R. M. Field, A.R.C.A., in two oils, one of St. Clair, Duncdin; and the other of Otago peninsular; by Mr. Esmond Atkinson, in "West'Kaikoura Hills" and "Moumahaki"; Miss Alice F. White, "An Auckland Street"; Mr. J. h. Moore, W. Penlington, Miss Flora Scales, and Mr. A. E. Baxter."

The sketch exhibition is worth a visit'from all. If it does not show a tremendously high standard of artistic work, it does show that there are a great many persons interested in sketch ing who are enthusiastically and conscientiously trying to do their best at the work they love, which, after all, is the main thing. From their efforts our national art will develop; slowly, perhaps, but soundly, without doubt.

Quite a number of tho sketches have already found purchasers, among the latest being "Street Scene," by Bonald M'Kcnzic; "Haveloek North," by W. J. Rush; "The River at Haywards," by E. P. Prince; "Queen Street, Auckland," by Alice Whyte, and "Man-of-war Bay," by D. K. Richmond.

Tho exhibition will close on Saturday evening, when the public art union will bo drawn.