OTAGO ART SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 23122, 23 November 1938, Page 7

OTAGO ART SOCIETY

SIXTY-SECOND ANNUAL EXHIBITION K 9. 2—AMONG THE PICTURES 'A second visit to the sixty-second annual exhibition of the Otago Art Societv in the Pioneer Hall confirms the opinion that the general standard compares well with that of previous exhibitions. Oils . and water colours form the bulk of the display of over 400 pictures, which have been hung to the best advantage in the spacious hall. The exhibition is open to the public daily from, 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. ami from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The composition of ‘Blue Gums,’, by Dorothy Fisher, is extremely good, but there is a coldness about the colouring that detracts from the general effect. There is sound perspective in ‘Tasman Bay,’ by R. Patterson, tljc draughtsmanship is careful, and the application of colour good. More hirghtness in the sunshine would have improved this picture. In a decorative landscape, ‘ A Gloucestershire Landscape,’ W. H. Allen has succeeded in conveying an effect of naturalness. The middle distance and the distance impart a real sense of atmosphere. ■ The best of the work of I. G. Rise is in the landscape, ‘ Whakarite Waiheke,' which has a very pleasing general effect. The distance and the water are admirably handled, and possess a transparent effect in a picture' of good composition. ‘ Glimpse of the Sea ’ is another pleasing composition in which the colour medium has been well applied, but which in parts is a trifle flat. Owen R. Lee’s ‘ Winter Haze ’ is a very pleasing little studv in which good use has been made of the effect of light. There is fine draughtsmanship in Dun San Darroch’s ‘ Tower Bridge, Xoiidon,’ the drawing of the ships and barges being particularly good. While his work of a busy scene on the Thames is perhaps a trifle overdone, he has undoubtedly caught the atmosphere of the river. F. R. Brown exhibits an attractive little sketch, ‘ Stacks,’ the colour tones being well balanced. The draughtsmanship could have been a little more decisive. In_ the water colour section the same artist has a picture of stacks on the Taieri, and in that medium he is much more effective, his effort producing a really charming little picture.

Commencing a tour of the , water colour section, one notices that B. D. Gerard has cleverly captured the atmosphere in ‘ A Grey Morning,’ a picture in which tho hills and water are very natural and the wide expanse .of sand •well portrayed. The softness in the distance is happily conveyed, and the whole picture certainly merits its title. ‘ The Gateway ’ is a simple subject effectively treated by W. Welch, who has made the most of the sunlight and ■hade. The colour work of Mr John W. Brock again sets a high standard in the' water colour section,' and bright pictures come from his brush. 1 Morning' hi;.Gums ’ is an exhibit of sound composition, with the trees happily placed and seemingly quivering in the breeze to give animation to the picture.- The figure of the man on the horse also,,.gives life to the picture. * The Stillness of Morning ’ is another attractive offering, the colouring of the water around the boat and the incoming tide being well handled. Mr Brock faithfully reproduces details of familiar scenes, and his draughtsman-ship-is invariably correct. J. B. Hope’s best work on this occasion :is in his sketch ‘ The Taieri,’ in which the colouring of the hill slopes land of the reflections in the water is well done. ■ ' . ■ . There is excellent drawing and colouring by Kathleen Salmoiul in her portrait ‘ In the Navy,’ a well-defined exhibit in which the medium has been used to.advantage. Equally at hime in still-life work, Miss Salmond has a very attractive offering in ‘Spring Flowers.’ With skilful work in the drawing and painting of the ffowers and of the reflection_ in the table top. Pleasing work again comes from the brush of R. T. Little, whoso artistic touch has lost none of its surety. He has a. nice selection of simple but’typical subjects. There is good draughtsmanship and clean colouring in ‘ Fish House, Moeraki,’ and in ‘ Morning, Moeraki,’ the lighting is exceptionally good. Mr Little knows how to draw the lines of boats, his excellent painting of which is always a strong feature of.his work. Year by year there is an improvenent in the artistic offerings of A. Dickison, who is well represented on this occasion in ‘ Towards the Hills,’ a water colour in which sunlight and Shade are admirably portrayed and in Vhich the distant hills lend atmosphere. The stacks in ‘ Autumn in the Taieri ’ are excellently drawn and the Colouring well applied. Effective broad treatment is given by 1. M. Copeland to ‘Cherry Walk, Botanic Gardens,’ a picture with a fine Sense of sunlight. The golden and orange tones are features of ‘ Early Morning, Hubert Range,’ with colouring one often sees jn New Zealand landscapes.

The artistic skill of Mr Gordon Tovey Is seen in ‘ Barney’s Woolshed,’ a small picture excellently drawn and with Skilled application of colour. In ‘Morning Light' -Minnie P. iWlnte has used the lighting to marked effect in a picture of broad treatment. The individual technique of Olivia Bpencw-Bower is seen at its best in ■‘Road by the Bay,’ a striking picture With broad treatment, marked by excellent draughtsmanship. There is masterly handling of the reflections in tho water, and tho composition of tho Whole is good. ‘ln Golden Bay ’ the expanse of water is delightfully treated. .^",P,r VVai i hbourne is represented by 'Saill Morning, Nelson,’ an harmonious picture in which the water and reflections are well portrayed. The artist has achieved marked effect with the flat wash. (To be continued.)