SADLY HANDICAPPED

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 28, 3 February 1938, Page 17

SADLY HANDICAPPED

ART STUDENTS

FEWOfWfofUNiTiES

(Special to the "Evening Post.") PALMERSTON N., This Day. That stiidents with artistic ability in New Zealand have little opportunity of developing their-work is deplored by Mr. H. Linley Richardson, R.8.A., of Palmerston North, who-will shortly leave for England where. he intends spend a year or more in touch with English artist associates. On only one occasion, Mr. Richardson said, had a talented art student been sent abroad under a scholarship to further his studies. This student benefited greatly under this scholarship. He spent some time painting and studying in Spain ■'and now ranked amongst New Zealand's cleverest draughtsmen. He was a.so recognised as a water-colour artist of outstanding ability. This was the only New Zealand student who had received such whereas in Australia, for - example, students were given travelling scholarships almost ' annually, which might account in part for the high standard of art in Australia.' • . Not only" did' New Zealand students lack such 'means-of studying abroad, but they received, little encouragement in their own country. Therje were-art schools in the four main' centres, but of these only one in Christchurch, was of a recognised university status, and there only could diplomas in fine arts be granted., Mr. Richardson, who has been art in-. structor at the Palmefston.North Technical High School since 1928, is convinced that there.- is ample talent and ability going to .waste. Lacking suitable .advanced training, students had taken short cuts in; their studies and thus missed some of-the essentials of their advancement, 'he said. 'This was particularly noticeable .in the case of artists working in water-colours and oils. Lacking proper instruction in drawing from life and still life, they, had found portrait painting and the like difficult and irksome, and consequently had taken the simpler course of devoting" their studies to landscapes which did not involve iuch difficulties in draughtsmanship. Mr. Richardson was himsell selected in' England for the purpose oi postering arts in New. Zealand and to give instruction in drawing and painting from, life, but he says he has had great difficulty in ' carrying , out this purpose. Many students who showed outstanding promise were unable-, to carry; on after school for financial reasons, and found themselves employed in other walks of life in, which their genius would remain dormant . ■ •: The opinion that th'e white butterfly and diamond back moth were more numerous this year than for some time past was expressed at yesterday's meeting of the Manawatu executive of the Farmers' Union, states "The Post's" Palmerston North representativa It was decided to draw che attention of the Department of Agriculture to the matter ,