ART IN AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14690, 26 May 1911, Page 5

ART IN AUCKLAND.

A FINE EXHIBITION.

OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR.

The Auckland Society of Arts' annual exhibition was opened last evening by His Excellency the Governor (Lord Islington), in the presence of a very large gathering of tho members of the society and their friends. The gallery, its walls fully furnished with pictures, presented a remarkably fine scene.

Mr. George George, president of the society, presided. He referred first to the services of tho late Mr. E. W. Rathbone, as president of the society. He felt sure that, it was largely due to Mr. Rathbone's efforts in connection with the picture purchase fund that the Government had last year decided to vote £500 for each of the four centres for the purchase of pictures for local galleries—a gift which it was generally believed would be made annually. The decision of the council.of the society to erect a tablet in the gallery in memory of the late president would meet with general approval.

Commencing upon tho tendencies of art in Auckland, Mr. George referred to the school of so-called impressionism, in which the aim was to produce " broad" effects, often with the result that the breadth became unintelligibility. To such " would-Se Whistlers," he pointed out that the history of the great impressionists— Turner, Sargent— that for years they devoted their attention to draughtsmanship and attention to detail, and only later, with their vast experience to draw upon, they were able to make one brush stroke do the work of many. There were no short cuts and ready reckoners in art, success could only follow hard work. Ultra-im-pressionism was a sloppy cloak for bad draughtsmanship. Mr. Geoj-ge said he was of opinion that some of the pictures lately purchased for the Public Art Gallery were scarcely worthy of inclusion, and he suggested that if the Government made an annual grant of £500 the sums should be accumulated for some-' years in order to secure masterpieces. In order to secure the benefit of tho greatest number of good pictures for tho people lie suggested that a loaning system should be devised for Australasia. A" great deal could be done towards educating the artists of New Zealand if scholarships were granted to send the winners to Europe to study. Ample repayment could be found if the students in their second and third years had to paint a copy of a masterpiece and an original work, to be presented to a selected art gallery in the Dominion.

Lord Islington's Speech. His Excellency the Governor, who was accompanied by Lady Islington, then declared the exhibition open. He congratulated the society and the artists of Auckland upon the fine exhibition, which he and Lady Islington had greatly admired when they had seen it in the morning. He would not lecture them upon art, but he expressed his appreciation of the interesting and suggestive remarks made by Mr. George, and hoped that in years to come they would be carried.out, with the object of improving art in the Dominion. He laid stress upon the necessity for inducing the public at largo to take an interest in the exhibition, for it would not only acquaint _ them with works produced in the Dominion, but would give them an inestimable opportunity to cultivate their artistic appreciation. This, in a busy city, where head and limbs alike were occupied with work, was a great boon. Nothing took a man out of himself and helped him to forget the wear and tear of life better than the contemplation of good pictures; nothing had a more humanising and refining influence. He referred also to the practical utility of such an exhibition. Many artists had to rely for their livings upon their paintings, and it was essential to them that they should have an opportunity of placing their productions before the people, whom they expected to provide a market.

Nothing, said Lord Islington, excited admiration and sympathy so much as the sight of a young and striving artist working to gain the approbation of his public, but it was essential that he should depend upon the art patron. It was largely by exhibitions that patrons were induced' to come forward; if they did not do so, it was not to be expected that a high standard of art could be maintained in the country. He urged upon all who could do so to encourage, as far as possible, the artists* who worked in their midst, producing pictures such, as those upon the walls. * New Zealand was a country of marvellous natural beauties, but many of them were giving way before the heavy hand of the utilitarian, and now was the time- when permanent records of the exceptionally beautiful features of this country should be made. His Excellency expressed approval of the system that had been followed in hanging the pictures, and heartily congratulated Mr. H. Wallace on the way he had carried out a rather invidious and difficult task. He had much pleasure in declaring! the exhibition open. (Loud applause.) Musical Programme. An enjoyable programme of music followed. Hen' Louis Blitz played a 'cello solo "Priestlied," from " Meistersinger " (Wagner-YVilhelrnj). Miss Mary Cooper sang " Von Ewiger Liebe" (Brahms), and "The Turn of the Year." Mr. Ernest Parkes sang " The Curfew," Mr. 0. E. Farrow sang "Blow, Blow, Tnou Winter Wind." Mr. Laurie -Abrahams gave a musical monologue entitled " The Game of Life." During a lengthy interval, the audience inspected the pictures, and also partook of refreshment."?.