AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF ARTS EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8268, 29 May 1890, Page 6

AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF ARTS EXHIBITION.

The Exhibition of the Auckland Society of Arts was well attended yesterday. In the evening His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. H. Upton) was announced to present the prizes. At eight o'clock the Mayor accompanied by the president (Mr. E. A. Mackechnie), and Messrs. Jositih Martin, E. W. Pay ton, and F. Wright ascended the platform. There were also there several of the successful competitors, ladies and gentlemen, to receive their prizes. The President came forward and said at the request of the Society His Worship the Mayor has consented to present the prizes. It gave him great pleasure to state that Mr. Upton acceded to the request. He had taken a great interest in educational matters, and art should form a branch of education. The Mayor said it gave him great pleasure to be able in his humble way to serve them. He understood the entries for the Society's competition this year were not so numerous, but the quality better. It was of little account whether the entries were many or few, so that they were good. That was the point of importance affecting artists and art. He noticed a large number of the prizes went to Christchurch, and he had asked the reason. A gentleman fresh from the Mouth said that the Southern scenery was more striking than in the North Island. He did not believe that by any means, as they had as grand scenery as could lie found anywhere in the world, It they had a high and true feeling in the community it would find artistic expression. The artists would be greatly encouraged and strengthened by the gathering together of a choice public collection of paintings. That was being done by the liberality of private citizens. Let them look at what Sir George Grey, the late Mr. J. T. Mackelvie. the late Dr. Elam, and Dr. J. L. Campbell had done to encourage art. If the Mackelvie and Khun trusts were directed rightly, they would create a taste for art, and if the master of the Elam School of Art did his duty, they would see the valuable fruits thereof. There was no competition in certain classes of the Society's competitions, owing to the rule of the Society that there must be three entries. With regard to Mr. 11. B. Morton's special prize in photography, he hoped that that gentleman would continehis liberal offer, and that next year there would be spirited competition for it. The Mayor then presented the prizes to the several competitors or their representatives, with a few kindly words of congratulation. The prize-list has been already published. He complimented Mr. Frank Wright and Miss Dobsou on their success as teachers of art, several of their pupils having carried off prizes and other honours. The special prize of Mr. H. B. Morton, for the best picture hi oil or water colour, illustrating the word " Waiting," was taken by Mr. Walter Wright, and consisted of a handsome volume of " The Portfolio," with illustrations, for 1889. He also carried off the Society's silver medal for the best work in the whole of the competitions. The Mayor at the close expressed his regret at there being two Art Societies in this small community. The artists should be united instead of being divided. Emulation was right, but rivalry was wrong, and that Exhibition should contain all trie good works of art in the city. (Cheers.) The President proposed a vote of thanks to His Worship the Mayor for presiding that evening. His position as Mayor gave him great influence in favour of art or against it, not that he (the speaker) believed that Mr. Upton was an ardent supporter of art. The vote of thanks was carried by acclamation.

During the evening Impey's Band played the following musical selections :—Valse, "Princess Alexandra;" overture. "Cleopatra ;" march, " Turkish ;" valse, " Latoua;" selection, " Domino Noir; : ' schottische, " Bright Flowers." The Exhibition will open to-day, as usual, and in the evening the art union will be drawn at half-past eight. THK ANNUAL COMPETITIONS. These are, as already stated, not so numerous as in preceding years, but the work is considerably improved. In several classes no award was made, the necessary number of entries not being forthcoming.

In section'2—study of head, bust, or figure from the antique, life size—there were seven entries. The first prize was obtained by Miss G. W. Purchas, for a monochrome in oil of a lion. It is a capital study from the cast, correct in drawing, and bold and vigorous in brusiiwork. It deservedly takes the prize in this section, but we would offer a protest against students in these elementary sections being taught such a bold, sketchy style, instead of the more careful conscientious manner which must be the precursor of the vigour which, from a more experienced hand, possesses such charm. A study which has received honourable mention in this section is a head by Walter E. Hurvie, worked in a manner entirely the opposite to the last mentioned study, and showing how an infinity of labour was unable to rescue the. drawing from flatness. There is, however, a hard, laboured look about it which is unsatisfactory, although the drawing of the face is careful and true.

Section 3: Shaded study from the round, ornament. The first prize in this section is secured by James Yearbury, who furnishes a. study of an acanthus leaf, which shows considerable care, although the drawing is not altogether correct. We should like to have seen more depth of shadow at the upper part of the leaf to show the projecting part more plainly, as the drawing is rather flat-looking in this part. A study ny 11. M. Jones, which receives honourable mention, and one or two others in this section, show an erroneous habit of keeping the darkest shadow of a round vase right on the extreme edge of the outline, which, of course, completely spoils the round appearance of the object. Section 4 : .Study from still life, flowers or foliage, in oil. The first prize is deservedly given to an excellent study of vegetables in a basket by 10. IS. Mminings, Christchurch. The colour is subdued throughout; and although the group is not altogether a particularly interesting one, the technical qualities of it are of great merit, and place it among the beat work of its class in the Exhibition. There is much good texture painting in this work. The various surfaces, look of the background, and the principal objects being very well rendered, it is, altogether, a work which might be studied with advantage by our Auckland students, and we cannot but regret that it received no other award from the Society than the class prize. Mrs. A. i\ Wilson takes second prize for a nice piece of work already mentioned. This artist contributes several other pieces Section 5: Study of still life, flowers or foliage, in water colours. The first prize was taken by J. S. Yearbury, by a work which showed considerable merit and accuracy in drawing. _ Section 9 : Landscape or marine study in oil. Dora Meeson, Christchurch, takes first prize. This lady sends a pleasing sketch, which has the freshness of out-door work ; while A. Fenton receives honourable mention for a small landscape in oil, showing careful study and facility of manipulation. Section 10: Landscape or marine study in water colour. Robt. Pheney obtains first prize for an excellent study of native bush. This, we understand, was taken in a heavy rain, and lias i a capital effect of moisture on the foliage. Section 12: Study of a native tree, in oil, water colour, or monochrome. Horace M. Jones has first prize for a capital study of a tree fern, which, although small, has some very excellent work in it, while C. F. Goldie gets honourable mention for a study in water colour, of a similar tree fern. Section IS: Design for decorative panel. Dora Meeaon, Christchurch, carries on first prize for an ambitious workgroup of Guelder Roses—the grouping, colouring, and workmanship being good throughout. Miss I'uckey gets honourable mention for two panelsone clematis in full flower, ami clematis in seed.

Section 15: Plaque or vase painting. Kate Hall has first prize in this section for a large plaque, with a group of white lilies painted thereon. It is a very good piece of work. • Special prize by Mr. H. B. Morton, for best picture in oil or water colour illustrating the word " Waiting." As already stated Mr. Walter Wright won this prize, and Mary E. Morton got honourable mention for an excellent head of a bay horse, very spiritedly and carefully painted, and showing much premise. In conclusion, we can only state that we are glad to see an improvement in the students' work this year, and hope to see a still larger amount of " black-and-white" work in future years.