OTAGO ART SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 17824, 22 November 1921, Page 2

OTAGO ART SOCIETY

FORTY-FIFTH EXHIBITION. No. VI —Art Crafts. This section is well up to previous years’ work, even though tho loss of tho Dunedin School of Ait is keenly felt, and the workers who exhibit are to ho congratulated on the standard and variety of_ work. Pewter work, enamelling, china painting, marqueterie, and modelling, etc., are shown, and in nearly all cases display a striking demonstration of tho interest taken in this department. S. A. Beck, who is one of the chief exhibitors, has some fine examples of pewter work set with enamels. His 1 Spirit of tho Winds’ is decidedly clever, equal to anything , previously shown here, ' The ernftmanship is there, but it is the artistry that one sees. A case of fine enamels also boars this artist’s name, and one is struck by the fineness of execution and tho brilliancy of coloring. Mr Beck also shows a case of lustre china, something quite new here. Wo believe that this work is only in its experimental stages in Dunedin. It opens up a big field for tho craft worker. ■ Various pieces of marqueterie work are shown by Mrs P. L. Ritchie. The blue vase with figures is probably tho best. It shows a keen appreciation of form and color. But all tho articles on the table occupied by Mrs Ritchie’s work are well worthy of inspection. Antique ideas are happily adapted and modernised. All the designs in Mrs Ritchie’s work are from original sketches. A new exhibitor, K. H. Lees, has a large mirror frame in pewter which shows careful work and is cleverly modelled.

There is a pleasing display of china painting by M. Lane. Tho designs are effective, and the whole is earned out with a fine idea of color. Edith F. Dalton is to bo complimented on her pewter work. It is art work of a serviceable type and excellent quality. Tho mugs exhibited by Ida M. Burton are such as to attract the attention of persons who like, things that look good. Ruby E. Israel specialises in hammered pewter, and knows how to combine ornament with use. 0. V. Burton shows some excellent designs in leather and brass, and her enamels and china, painting reach a high standard.

Four examples of modelling are in this section, two lent. Special praise is bestowed on Alex. R. Fraser’s ‘New Zealand Bomber, 1 the attitude being quite arr'esting,. vVe congratulate this small band of workers on the good display they, have made, and trust that the public will take an increasing interest in this section ofthe exhibition.