ART EXHIBITION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 167, 14 June 1933, Page 4

ART EXHIBITION

MANAWATU SOCIETY’S DISPLAY. SOME SPLENDID PICTURES. Consisting of over 250 pictures, including some amazingly clever studies in an admirable choice of subjects, the second annual exhibition by the Manawatu Society of Arts at the National Dairy Sliow was opened last evening by Dr. A. It. D. Carbery, C.8.E., of-Wellington, president of the New Zealand Association of Art Societies, at a private viewing. Mr R. H. Billens (vice-president of the Manawatu Society), presided, and apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr D. AY. Low (president of the society), who was largely responsible for the organisation of the exhibition. Mr Billens apologised also for the absence of Mr I). Buchanan (president of the Manawatu and AA r est Coast A. and P. Association), owing to a slight indisposition, and added that the society owed that body a debt of gratitude. He mentioned that last year 5000 people were admitted to the first exhibition held. He considered that the present one was quite its equal, if not in numbers then in quality, variety and interest. A close study of the pictures would afford great pleasure and not a little profit, he added. The Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) welcomed Dr. Carbery and all associated with .the exhibition. He congratulated the Manawatu Art Society on the exhibition of so many fine pictures, many of which had been loaned bv the parent body. He took it that such exhibitions had not only a great interest, but a very definite • educational value. Particularly was that so in such a centre as Palmerston North, which was the hub of » largely populated district. The Manawatu Art Society’s meml>ers had been untiring in tireir work in organising the exhibition, and he was confident it would amply repay the New Zealand Society to loan pictures to the local organisation. He expressed the hone that when prosperity returned the city would be able to possess an art gallery of its own which would be • of credit to both the society and the district. Dr. Carliery stated that he brought a message of congratu'ation and encouragement to the Manawatu Society from all the older societies. He commented that the suggestion made by the Mayor was an excellent one, and he hoped that the city would soon have an art gallery established. There could not be too many galleries because art was a fertile source of social betterment. Dr. proceeded to give a most informative address (which is reported elsewhere) and at its conclusion he was warmly thanked. The numerous visitors present then inspected the pictures and supper was provided by tire lady members of the society.

The Mayor was accompanied by Airs Mansford, who wore black lace and georgette with scarlet posy and shoes; Mrs D. AV. Low wore mauve satin, and Mrs It. H. Billens was in green embossed georgette with a lame coat. Members of the council who were responsible for the general arrangements and hospitality were Airs A. E. It. Joblin (convener). who wore flame georgette ; Airs E. Opie, in blue floral georgette ; Aliss Dorothy Turner, black lace and georgette, black velvet and white fur coat; Aliss D. E. Low, scarlet satin; Miss Aluriel AVflson (lion, secretary), burgundy satin, white fur coat; also Dr F. H. AlcDowall, Messrs G. H. Elliot, J. B. Fleck and AA r . G. Black. Among others present were Air and Airs D. S. AVybe, Air and Mrs L, Laurenson, Dr' and Airs AVhitehead, Airs AV. G. Black, Airs J. Murray, Mrs R. D. Biackinore, Mr and Airs F. L. C. Scrivener, Airs D. 0. AVilliams, Miss Crabb, Airs C. Freyberg, Air and Airs G. A. Eliott, Aliss AVliyte, Miss C. Fitzgerald. Aliss E, Caldwell, Aliss Smith, Air A. AI. and Aliss M. Ongley, Airs A. C. Zolirab, Alisses Betty Young,

J. Hunter, M. Port, Air and Airs J. Parkes, Mr and Airs E. I*. ihwai.es, Mr and Airs A. A. Langley Mr and Airs J. M. AlcLinden, Air F. Opie, Airs Opie, senr., Mr A. E. R. Jobhn, Mi and Airs C. A. Small, Mrs A. Wylie, Alisses C. Warburton, D. Southe) Baker, Airs Espiner, Mrs W.dson (Matamnta), Air and Airs AV. H. Galbraith, Mr and Mrs A. AI Lascelles. Mr and Airs B. F. Mitchell, Mrs lj. H. AlcDowall, Airs and Aliss Ruby Gillies, Mr and Airs C. Armstrong, Mr A. Seifert, Alessrs G. W hisker, R. Moody and Clausen, Airs and Aliss V. W ood, Dr Yeates, Mr H. Billens, Aliss Is. W r oodhouse, Aliss AI. Deidericli, Mrs and the Alisses Nettlefold, Airs J. B. Fleck, Mr and Airs R. Stewart, Air H. B Free, Airs S. T. Stidolph, Alessrs AV.-. A. Jacques, H. Y. Lethbridge, AI. A. Conway, A. E. AlcGregor, G. 1. McGregor,’ Mesdames J. AI. Wilson, Toombs, Fraser, Bowler AVatson, Aliss AVallace, Mr H. E. Gunter and Aliss Valerie Gunter, Air C. Barnieoat and Mr P. Rhodes. The display, among which are 200pictures recently shown at Auckland, and now being taken round the main centres of New Zealand under the rota system, creates a great deal of interest. It is pleasing to note that the Palmerston North group consttutes some of the main strength of the etching class. There are numerous water colours, and charming studies in black and white. Artists from all parts of the Dominion are represented, some by individual studies, others by distinctive groups. The water colour section, containing many fine pictures, is the largest, but there are many splendid works in oil among the portraits and landscapes. The influence of the modernistic movement is easily discernible, and there are. a few notable examples of the extremes in advanced painting conception. Alanawntu artists exhibiting pictures are Julia B. Lynch, Aliss Aluriel C. Wilson, Miss E. J. D. Turner, Airs F. Opie, Airs A. E. R. Joblin, Airs G. Simpson (AYoodville), Miss M. Tylee (Pahiatua), Alessrs R. H. Billens, G. H. Elliot, D. AV. Low. P. Rhodes, C. K. AVhisker (Bulls), and J. H. Tetley. They are represented in all sections, particularly in black and white studies. Among outstanding pictures in the exhibition is “Persephone’s Return to Demeter,” done m strikingly hold treatment by Lois AY bite. There are some very charming landscape studies, including quite a number from this district, in the oil paintings, while well-known citizens are shown in portraiture. The water-colours contain some very nice animal studies. The modernistic element is exemplified in oil paintings by Alinnie F. AVhite and Pascoe Redwood. Julia B. Lynch has some life-like portrait studies of particular interest

There are some striking pieces of work in a case of art crafts exhibited by Mr J. B. Fleck. They include ena-niel-bronze cigarette boxes, a beautiful bronze jewel case mounted with agates and other semi-precious stones, pickle forks and a paper knife executed in silver to Alaori designs, also dainty and unusual necklaces and pendants showing opals, and other stones.

Airs G. Dick (Stratford) is repiesonted plaques in marquetry. - Daisy Morgan (Palmerston >orth)m exhibiting some exceHent pewte a d raffia work, and Aliss Sybil Alulvaney is showing three pieces of woven mpe strv. Some beautiful carved panels and boxes, showing the most finished wo. lc manship, are the products of artistiy in wood by Airs S. T. Stidolph, of Palmerston North. Aliss Doreen Thwaites is showing a figure in bronze, and AD Keith Collinson has loaned a \ery interesting philatelic collection.