MR. RUSSELL CLARK

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 48, 26 February 1938, Page 14

MR. RUSSELL CLARK

A VERSATILE ARTIST

An artist belonging to New Zealand's younger school who has already made a name for himself is Mr.-Russell Clark, and he was one of those honoured by having an example of his work selected for exhibition in London at the time of the Coronation, when all the Dominions contributed specimens of their art for a special exhibition. In the New Zealand Artists' Group gallery in Bowen House at the present time he is giving one-man exhibition of his work, and this was opened last night by the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop. This is the first such exhibition that Mr. Russell Clark has given, and it is bound to provoke considerable interest in art circles.

Mr. Russell Clark, who is extraordinarily versatile, being at home with oils, water-colours, sculpture, etc., is essentially modern in his outlook. But he is what may be termed a sane modernist. Eschewing all frills and affectation, he is simple and direct in his painting. His designs are simple and his painting clean, and he says what he has to say on his canvases in downright and telling colour phrases, and in all his work there is vivid imagination. Take, for instance, his water-colour of a street scene. There is marked economy in design and colour, yet the picture is wonderfully complete. Then, again, there is a big oil painting which shows a gigantic tree trunk, with cultivated hills beyond—a very bold and very telling bit of work. Contrasting with this and several .other bold conceptions are peaceful coastal- and rural scenes, all charming little bits of painting. Mr. Russell Clark, too, is happy in his treatment of figures, as several large paint-ings-'show, y ...

As a humorist with the brush Mr. Russell Clark deserves fame and fortune. It is hard to imagine anything quite so delightful as his mural frieze in water-colour which takes one on an imaginative trip, round the world. The characteristics of the people of almost every country are depicted in rich colouring and with marked but not exaggerated humour; New Zealand, for instance, is summed up by two stalwart Rugby football players—an All Black and a Springbok—in a flying tackle. In the background are tourists looking with awe and wonder at a geyser. No bald description in print, however, can do justice to this unique production, very clever alike in conception and execution.

The artist's versatility is shown in the few masks and pieces of sculpture which he is exhibiting in addition to paintings. Particular notice should be taken of his carved ebony figure of an eastern dancer.' This exhibition, which will be open all next week, should on no account be missed by; those who want to keep abreast with the work being done by the "new school" of art in New Zealand. Possibly some of !the "old school" may go intending to scoff, .but more than likely, if they do, they will stay to praise.