H.B. ART SOCIETY’S EXHIBITION.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 234, 6 September 1912, Page 6

H.B. ART SOCIETY’S EXHIBITION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —When reading your criticisms of the exhibits of the Hawke’s Bay Art Society, 1 was very unfavourably impressed by your reporter's omission of the names of several of the most eminent artists of New Zealand —artists whose pictures have been exhibited at some of the most notable galleries in Great Britain, and who have received very favourable notice from -British ait critics. The omission of the names of Messrs. C. N. Worsley. W. Menzies Gibb, F. Wright, G. E. Butler, and J. M. Madden, who are all well represented at the exhibition, does not argue much knowledge of art on the part of your reporter. This is not a matter of opinion but of fact, as your reporter would know if he were at all conversant with the literature of ar in this country. The names of the gentlemen I have mentioned together with those of Messrs. Goldie and Bowring—who I note with some surprise your reporter has not overlooked—are regarded generally, in art circles, as being the best artists in the Dominion. In a community like ours, which is unfortunately almost destitute of knowledge of art, such omissions are deplorable on ac count of their misleading tendency. Not only has.fortune, in the person of your reporter, been unkind to these artists, but the selecting committee have failed to show their pictures to the best advantage. Undue prominence has 'been given by the committee to works that are very inferior copies. One of the rules of the society prohibits the admission of copies unless specified as such. A more rigid adherence to this rule would mean the production of a better class of work. Bettei still, a rule to exclude all copies would do much to discourage this paltry practice which is so prevalent among the would-be artists of the Dominion. Those exhibitors -who have endeavoured to depict nature are worthy of more notice than they have received. In conclusion, I would suggest that you would have been better advised if you had published a list or summary of the pictures, instead of attempting criticisms which are apparently beyond your scope.—l am. etc..

GORDON EBBETT

Marine Parade, Napier, Sept. 4. [Mr. Ebbett’s letter has been referred to our reporter. He states that he is sorry to find himself in disagreement with Mr. Ebbett as to the merits of the exhibits under 'review, but at the same time holds to his opinions. Possibly, However, some of the paintings which Mr. Ebbett complains were passed unnoticed. were missed through their being so effectually skied.—Ed. H.B.T.]