ART IN NEW ZEALAND

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 148, 20 December 1930, Page 21

ART IN NEW ZEALAND

NEW ZEALAND PAINTERS OVERSEAS The foundation feature of the December number of "Art in New Zealand" is based on the work of Dominion painters and etchers overseas. The New Zealand community in Europe is more numerous than is generally thought, hence the editorial intimation that it will be necessary to return to tho subject in a subsequent number in order to do justice to it. The issuo to hand contains live colour blocks, representing typical examples of the art of Sydney L. Thompson, R. S. Hellaby, Frederick J. Porter, Hester Frood, and Leslie Greener. The Thompson and Porter plates are particularly interesting. Tho examples in half-tone and line have been chosen with discrimination, and are reproduced with that artistic finish which has substantially assisted this quarterly to establish itself with the cognoscenti in this country. Outstanding among the illustrations in black and white are Heber Thompson's "Conversation,"' "The Two Ash Trees" (a delicate piece of work), by Eleanor Hughes; "GilIon," by Rhona Haszard; a two-page reproduction of an A. A. Milne poem with decorations by Harry Rountree; "A Courtyard in Steyning, Sussex," by Edith Blunt; portraits by Cecil Jameson and Oswald Birley. Also, there are two pages of illustrations from the exhibition of Graphic Art recently held in Auckland. No less strong and varied is the literary section. Christopher Perkins, in a notice of the New Zealand Academy Annual Exhibition, offers several suggestions for the consideration of the authorities; the rebirth of the Otago Art Society is recounted succinctly by J. G. Johnston; William Fielding discusses in broad outline recent architectural developments in North America; and the quarterly's London correspondent, G. G. W., touches informatively on recent art activities in England. Helen G. Turner contributes an unusual short story; "A. E. Shaw" a vivacious study entitled "Mr. O'Shea Selects a Book-plate"; and there are poems by Eileen Duggan —who maintains a. high standard in '' Miracle'' —Margaret Crookes, and John Dene. And last, but indubitably not least, an original song, full of atmosphere, by Eileen Joyce, set to words by John Todhunter, is reproduced from the composer's music-script. Publishers and editor are entitled to commendation for their part in this number, which for all-round merit must rank as one of the best yet. Our copy from H. H. Tombs, . Ltd., Wingfield street.