ART GALLERY

Evening Star, Issue 22618, 9 April 1937, Page 14

ART GALLERY

1 ~*‘ SOCIETY’S ANNUAL MEETING DONATIONS TO BUILDING FUND Donations to the building extension fund bringing the total amount in hand to nearly £350 were reported to the annual meeting of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery Society, held yesterday afternoon. The president (Dr F. S. Batchelor) was in the chair. The President, in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, said the society had finished the year with a very small credit balance, but only about £ll2l had been received from annual subscribers. The society should be able to double the present number. During the year they had added some .very important works to th'eir collection, the. most important of course, being the Gainsborough portrait," which was paid for out of the Peter Smeaton bequest. They had purchased a good picture by Hans Ueyson with money . from the Ernest Price bequest, while Sir George Wilson had very generously presented two works of art, one a fine Goldie head and the other by Leslie Poole Wilson. Other gifts had been presented by Miss Theomin, Miss Scott, and Sir Louis Barnett, to whom the thanks of the society were due. They had also to thank the Empire Art Loan Collection Society for several gifts. The society had been presented with a striking portrait of Sir James Allen, which had been loaned to the University Council until such time as they could find a suitable place to show it. Referring to the Dutch and Flemish collection, the speaker said that the exhibition had created much interest, and had been well attended. It taught them that it was possible to hold similar exhibitions in the gallery, but they still needed more accommodation. At present they had to dismantle several rooms to house any collection on loan, and this was not good for the pictures or the gallery itself. The building fund had reached the sum of about £3OO, and since the balance sheet had been audited another £4O had been given. He appealed to the public to help. Subscriptions large or small would be gladly received. It was hoped that one day the tram would he brought right down to the gallery to enable their members and the public to get there. (Hear, hear.) It was difficult at present for elderly people and those not very strong to reach the gallery. Perhaps the combined efforts of the sports bodies and their own would achieve success in the matter. They wished to thank the Press for valuable assistance in many ways. Mr A. H. Fisher, in seconding the motion, said the year had been an eventful one. They had acquired a number of new pictures, a notable one being the Gainsborough. They had also provided the opportunity of seeing the collection of Dutch and Flemish pictures, a collection which was an education, and he hoped the public of Dunedin would not miss the opportunity of viewing what was produced in those days. The pictures were glorious in their harmonies, and it would be a great acquisition if some of them could bo secured for their gallery. The society had done well in the past in securing old masters, and he thought it could do better in the future. The motion was carried, OFFICE-BEARERS. The following office-bearers were reelected:—President, Dr F. S. Batchelor ; vice-presidents—Mrs E. C. Reynolds, Sir H. Lindo Ferguson, Messrs A. H. Fisher and P. L. Halsted ; council—Mrs MTndoe, Miss Theomin, Messrs Frank Barron, Frank Bell, J. D. Charlton Edgar, J. Lusk, A. C. Matheson, Dr F. Fitchett, Dr Russell Ritchie, and the Hon. W. Downie Stewart; honorary treasurer, .Mr H. Mandeno; honorary solicitor, Mr A. N. Haggitt; auditors —Messrs Barr, Burgess, Leary, and Stewart. SUGGESTIONS TO COUNCIL. Mr J, L. MTndoe suggested that the council might take into consideration the establishment of a room devoted entirely to New Zealand works of art. In the Sydney Art Gallery there was a room devoted l entirely to Australian works of art, and it was a striking feature of the gallery. Their own gallery had pictures from many different countries, and it seemed only right that they should have some of the work of the leading artists of the Dominion. Their, resources were not sufficient to enable them to compete in the market for the work of the old masters, and it might be more desirable to, buy contemporary works, which might in the course of time be classed as the work of old masters. There were some pictures which were not really works of art; they were considered as such only because of the names of the artists. He also suggested the time had come when there could be a little “weeding out ” in the gallery. There were some pictures which could profitably be removed. He particularly had in mind one picture which occupied practically the whole of one wall. It could possibly be given to some minor society, and the space occupied by something really worth while. The same remarks could be applied, in his opinion, to other in the gallery. There might be sentiment attaching to some of the pictures presented to them, but they had to be a little ruthless if they were to maintain a high standard. The President said it was very interesting to hear such views expressed. It had been in the minds of the council to have a New Zealand room in the gallery, and a start had actually been made with one. However, they did not have much space to spare. The process of “ weeding out ” was going on all the time. It was done slowly, and no. doubt would be continued. In respect to the large picture referred to by Mr M'lndoe, however, there might he some difference of opinion respecting its merit. It was a good thing to hear the suggestions, and the council would take note of them. EXTENSION FUND. The Secretary said that since the balance sheet was published the following amounts have been received towards the building fund:—£lo, £5 ss, £5, £25, £3, and £5 ss. The amount standing to the credit of the building fund in the balance sheet was £282 11s lOd, and the sums he had mentioned brought the total to £336 Is lOd. The President announced the receipt of a further £5 at the meeting. .It was hoped, he said, they might receive further benefit from the Hundred Thousand Club. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.