NEW ZEALAND ARTIST

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 111, 12 May 1934, Page 14

NEW ZEALAND ARTIST

MELBOURNE EXHIBITION

(From "The Post's" Representative.) MELBOUBNE, May 4. Art critics have nothing but praise for a fine collection of modern water colours now being shown in Melbourne by a New Zealand artist,' Mrs. Sherwood, -who has just spent eight yaars m Europe. The display has been described as one of the most interesting and instructive collections of water colours ever gathered in Melbourne. It is said to be an illuminating commentary on the latest French methods' of water colour.

Mr. Blamiro Young, a noted critic says that Mrs. Sherwood's courage is lftr great assot. In the eight or nine years that have elapsed since the iirst showing of her pictures in Melbourne she has made great progress, and he is convinced that she will go further still. It is said that she intends to embark upon n series of designs based upon the mountainous country of Victoria. "If that is so," says Mr. Young, "wo shall have to look' forward to a <*rcat treat next spring.", °

Mrs. Sherwood's 'display brings irresistably to the mmcl two other women from the Dominion who hav,e made their definite mark in European culture —Katherine Mansfield and Francis Hodgkins. "The latter we knew -well in Melbourne," says Mr. Young, ','but when we look round our National Gallery we have to admit that we were in those days unable to appreciate her great qualities," and take advantage of our opportunities. Her prestige in London .came later, and after that she did not return. • Francis Hodgkins was an original and conscious artist.- Her management of water colour was her own, and owed nothing to the amenities of French paper merchants. It would be unfair to subject Mrs. Sherwood to too close a comparison with her great countrywoman. We arc, however, glad to recognise the good fortune of New Zealand, in Jicr accomplished daughters, only wishing that Australia could lay claim to a distinction of the same order."