PURSUIT OF ART

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23356, 26 May 1939, Page 16

PURSUIT OF ART

VALUE TO COMMUNITY EXHIBITION OPENED ACCOMMODATION PROBLEM "It is a fine thing that in an age wracked by political and social unrest and doubt, when the whole world. is i„ a state of bewilderment if not disillusionment, so many can find interest enthusiasm, joy, in reaching outi to wt nearer and more intimate nith eternal truths and beauties of being, said the president of the Aucklan Society of Arts, Mr. R. 0. Gross, m opening the-58th annual exhibition of tlie society at a private view in the Auckland Art Gallery yesterday. "I suppose that in no other human activity docs the saying 'virtue is its own reward' more trully apply than when used of fine art, for if exhibitions depended on the number of sales effected for their continuance I suppose one exhibition in 50 yea™ could easily cope with the demand, sa d Mr. Gross "But we have fortunately an enthusiastic and courageous band of workers who continue to work, in spite of little or no practical encouragement." The Less Successful The pictures on view were evidence of sincere efforts to present solutions to a variety of problems, said the speaker. While not wishing to belittle the efforts of the more successful, he would stress the value to the community of those whose work had not so far achieved pre-eminence. It was of vastly more importance that there should be a great number of people personally trying to solve the many problems of beauty than to have one or two giants, although men of great stature were well enough. City Council's Co-operation Pleading for tolerance in judging the work, Mr. Gross said some people would find certain pictures too extremely modern, while others "would some too old-fashioned The measure of appreciation should be related only to the sincerity of the artist s endeavour to convey something worth while, not to an exhibition of clever technique only, or "stunting." In recent years the exhibition had been conducted under difficulties said Mr. Gross, in thanking the City Council for allowing the use of the galleries But for this the exhibition could not have been held this year. The exhibition musty be held to be a part fulfilment of the city's purpose in fostering a love and appreciation of fine art. and as such called for more and still more close co-operation between the city authorities and the society, so that a great measure of satisfaction must be drawn from the practical sympathy shown. The situation served to emphasise the need for more and better accommodation to house suitably the art activities of the community, which was without doubt the most poorly served in the Dominion. The exhibition will be open to the public daily until June 7 from 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., except on Sundays, when it will be open from 2 p.m. to 4..30 p.m. Lectures will be given on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.