THE ART EXHIBITION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21876, 11 August 1934, Page 15

THE ART EXHIBITION

Sir, —May I express my surprise at the views outlined by your correspondent, "An Unrepentant Victorian"? He suggests that there are no examples of the work of Victorian "giants." Surely many of the names in the catalogue are those of artists whom we could class as "famous." What constitutes an artistic, "giant" of the Victorian period? The collection is not intended to represent works of the Victorian era only—the Inst 70 years is a period that covers both Victorian and post-Victorian art —the latter surely a reaction from pictures that were a reflection of the Victorian era with its crystallised ideas of "correctness" and "form." I feel that the organisers of the exhibition are to be congratulated on the wise and catholic choice of works they have made. Surely in a collection of this kind it is only right, if New Zen landers arc to have the opportunity of keeping abreast of artistic developments abroad, that a good proportion of the works should reflect present-day tendencies in art. Personally, T see no pictures in the exhibition which should "receive the censure which they deserve." New Zealand is to the fore in many fields of activity, but not in "art." Although a few of her painters may not be hidebound by tradition and conservatism. many of her art patrons are still looking at art through the glasses of "Victorian" pedants. Tf tbev are unable to comprehend the "modern" outlook in painting tbev should study it when tbev will find that it is possible to see the merit of many works to which they at present take exception —allegedlv because they do not like the paintings, but reallv because they do not. understnnd them. An Unrepentant Modern.