ART EXHIBITION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 31 August 1927, Page 5

ART EXHIBITION

NAPIER SOCIETY’S FOURTH VENTURE. HIGH STANDARD OF EXHIBITS. But four years have lapsed since the Napier Arts and Crafts Society held its first exhibition, but during that short period wonderful and undoubted advances have been made. This morning the Society opened its yearly exhibition and there was a continual throng of enthusiastic lovers of art in Scinde Hall. The majority of the works are by Hawke’s Bay artists and various sections as viewed by the reporter left no doubt as to the capabilities and genuine abilities of the local artists. Anyone who has followed the exhibition since .ts inception will agree that it has a decidedly high standard in every branch. The first room is devoted to water colours, black and white drawings and etchings, the first mentioned being a most beautiful and dazzling display of colour. Many of the scenes are of Hawke’s Bay, paintings and drawings of Napier being most conspicuous by their representational qualities., Other views are of various well-known scenes in the Dominion while one or two recall the Mother Country. There is a delightfully refreshing atmosphere about all the sketches, but, apart from the subjects, the beautiful clean colour is a delight to the eye.

A small section has been devoted to. oils, both portrait studies and landscapes, the principal exhibitors in this room being Mrs Beatrice Harvey, Miss E. J. D. Turner. Mr. Angus Gray, Mr Roland Hipkins, Miss Jenny Campbell, Mrs E. Lakeman, and Mr W. J. Rush. Illustrations and drawings are shown by Miss D. Joy Lawson, etchings by Miss E. J. D. Turner and Mr F. V. Ellis, watercolours by Mr L. M. Theakstone, Mr L, Evans, Miss S. Smith, Mr W. Penlington and Mrs A. Avery and Woodblock prints by Mr Leo. Bestall.

The crafts work is of special interest and includes examples of embroidery, metalwork, jewellery, painted woodwork, gesso work, enamelling and hand weaving. The principal exhibitors in this section are Mr L. M. Theakstone, Miss D. Joy Lawson, Mrs B. McCarthy, Miss E. Wrench, Mr G. H. Hole. Miss E. E. Burbury, Mrs E. Lakeman, Mrs Fraser Baddeley, Miss E. Matheson, Mr T- P. Husher, Miss P. Duncan, Mrs Leo Bestall, Miss Eleanor Adkins, and Mrs W. Penlington.

The third court is devoted to several sections, one being composed of students’ work where the skill and craftsmanship are of undoubted promise. Especially interesting are those exhibits of Miss Helen White's studies of the horse. Besides that of Miss White prominent exhibits on view are those of Mrs T. Balcombe, Miss M. McKay, Mrs A. Fish, Mr L. O. Williams. Mr S. F. Anderson. Mill. Bosher, Misses A- Campbell, Flora Walker and M. H. Aitken.

Although small in number the exhibits for the schools competition the quality is unquestionably good and it is to be regretted that this section was not given the consideration that is really due to it.

Of particular value and interest tithe business-man is the commercial section, which is most helpful in put x ting forward the advantages of artistic advertising. Original drawings lor advertisements are shown of educational value to the business people who should not fail to give this section careful consideration. Besides the examples of the regular advertising by business firms there are examples from independent artists. Lovers of art should in no way fail to see the Society’s “Medici Prints’’ display where there are exhibits which are truly wonderful reproductions of the works of the Old Masters and are certainly worth careful study.