THE ART GALLERY

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 52, 30 August 1945, Page 6

THE ART GALLERY

REMOVAL POSSIBLE

The possibility of the removal of the National Art Gallery from its present site at Mount Cook to one within the proposed Civic Square was mentioned by the Mayor (Mr. Appleton) when he opened the spring exhibition of the Wellington Sketch Club last night. "I doubt very much whether the gallery is in the right place," he said, "and I hope that some day the present building will be taken over by the Technical College, and you people will have a much better site in our Civic Square." Exhibitions had been held of late in the centre of the city, the Mayor added, and had met with an excellent response from the public. The time had come when the Technical College should be recognised as an art college. Both Auckland and Christchurch had their recognised schools of art, and he was of opinion that Wellington should not be permitted to lag behind. Mr. Appleton reminded the president of the club (Mr. Stanley Edwards) that the city fathers of Wellington had not been unmindful of art. He had been one who had assisted the late Sir George Troup, said the Mayor, in raising funds for the National Gallery, and that institution had since been subsidised by both the City Council and the Harbour Board, with the result that a reserve of several thousand pounds had been built up. Mr. Edwards, when welcoming the Mayor (who was accompanied by the Mayoress) said that the Wellington Public Library had offered' an unusual opportunity for the painting of murals, such as were to be seen in public buildings in the United States and elsewhere. Replying, Mr. Appleton said that he recognised the importance of mural painting. "That must come," he said, "but remember that we are still a young country." To the students, the Mayor said: "I would like to say that futuristic art does not appeal to me, nor does it to the general public. It may have a vogue for a time, but, ultimately, it will not 'go over.' The sooner that we get back to practical realities in art the better."

The aim of the club, commented Mr. Edwards, was to encourage the work of younger members and give them an opportunity of displaying it before the public. "We hope that we will be able to instil in the public of Wellington some sense of artistic appreciation, and teach them to distinguish between a sincere piece of work and what is popularly known as a 'pot-boiler,' " he said.

Now that the war was over some consideration should be given to the country's cultural necessities. "Are our young people going to receive encouragement commensurate with their talents," he asked, "or are they to be side-tracked into some other form of employment or be forced to go abroad before they receive recognition?" The exhibition, which comprises 143 examples of work by members, is thoroughly representative of the activities of the club, and will now be open for public inspection.