THE SKETCH CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19781, 31 October 1927, Page 12

THE SKETCH CLUB.

AUCKLAND EXHIBITION.; MUCH PRAISEWORTHY WORK. ATTENTION TO GOOD DRAWING. There is much praiseworthy work in the Auckland Sketch Club's exhibition which was opened by Her Excellency, Lady Alice Fergusson, in the Dilworth Buildings on Saturday evening. One thing is distinctly encouraging. Among a large list of exhibits there is ample evidence of good drawing—the basis of real art. Lady Alice Fergusson was introduced by the president of the club, Mr. W. Page Rowe. ' She paid a tribute to the work of local artists and said that in her young days she herself had been an enthusiastic sketcher. "I sketched simply to amuse- myself," Her Excellency said, " but I can remember being very annoyed when I used to find one sketch of mine replaced upside down every morning after my room had been dusted." "I would not think of giving you a dissertation on art, even if I were competent to do so," Lady Alice continued. "I merely wish to ask every artist to let his work be guided by one principle —sincerity. Directness and simplicity, with sincerity, made the works of the old masters. Artists of to-day cannot afford to overlook their importance." Landscapes Predominate. The exhibition is practically dominated by landscape work, and there is a similarity in a large number of the sketches. But for all that there is a large number in which there is refreshingly orig inal treatment. The work of Minnie F. White is nothing if not original One of the finest things in the exhibition is her portrait sketch, an Excellent piece of work. The same artist has a very -powerful charcoal sketch, "Gloom." Her landscape work is also good. Attention is paid to broad, general principles and there is nothing finnicky about the work. It is sketch work pure and simple, and there is no evidence of tinkering and patching. In a sketch, first impressions generally prove best. The artist has strayed a little from the conventional in the lighting, but this cannot be construed as a fault. Some of the best landscapes in the show are the work of Ella Spicer, whose "Winter's Morning" is a charming study in pastel shades. "A Bush Road" is well done and there is a good treatment of the middle distance, hills sloping back gradually to the purple of ranges. An unpretentious little study is her "Doorway of the Grammar School," in which there is excellent contrast of light and shade. Miss I. M. Copeland's work is marked by originality and a fine clearness of line. "One Tree Hill from Titirangi" is perhaps her best exhibit, but there is a soundness of form and a fine blending of colour in a still life in oils, "A Colour Note." Other Interesting Exhibits. The work of Ivy Perry is as sound and convincing as ever, her "Trees in Evening Light" Bhowing excellent composition and artistic treatment. Mr. W. Page Rowe has only one exhibit, "Clouds," and it is a fine piece of work, full of poetry and delicate lighting. The lighting on rocks in the foreground is particularly fine. Some fine street and waterfront scenes are contained in the exhibits of Alice F. Whvte, but her finest work is a study from life of a young housewife busy in the preparation of some dish. There is a natural poise about the figure which makes an instant appeal. llut there is very little figure worn in the exhibition, A. S. Boyd being practically the only exhibitor to specialise in this class. Rich colouring marks Hilda Wiseman's "Kowhais." which is an impressive work. All her sketches show that she has the sense of the decorative highly developed. There is wonderful attention to detail in two street scenes, the work of Molly Stewart. Indeed, they are a little too elaborate to be called sketches, but the clarity of line and beauty of lighting make them among the gems of the collection. It is impossible to touch on all, the exhibits, or even on the work of every exhibitor. It is sufficient to say that the club is doing excellent work, and that the note of progress is unmistakably displayed in the exhibition. It will be open throughout the week.