ART EXHIBITION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23769, 24 September 1940, Page 9

ART EXHIBITION

THE RUTLAND GROUP/ The annual exhibition of the Rutland Art Croup, which is an organisation of ex-students of the Elam School'of Axt, is now open in the Art Gallery, There has been a creditable increase in the group's membership during the past few years, and nearly 80 artists have contributed to the exhibition, which contains 117 paintings, drawings and prints, comfortably filling a large room.

The members' enthusiasm shows itself in the variety as well as the number of works- exhibited. Bright* colour predominates in the oil paintings, which include landscapes, figure compositions, still life and flower studie?. The level of performance is very even, but tho total effect suggests that rather too many of the pictures are exercises in predetermined styles, and that most of the painters would benefit if they had more direct contact with fellowartists in other parts of New Zealand or sought more direct inspiration from the subject-matter, particularly of landscape. "The Bridge, Whangarei," by A. G. Funnell, is remarkable for fresh colour and happily-caught effects of sunlight. A. D. Swinton has made a good attempt at,symbolic design in "1940 Headlines,' and "Tho Choir," executed in tempera by E. Hughes, is refreshingly original. Among the water-colours are an attractive landscape, "From Orakei," and a large study of yellow kowhai, both by P. Spicer. B. Christie has a capablydrawn representation of some Balinese puppets. The exhibition also contains some good drawings, etchings and linocuts and a collection of well-designed pottery by Briar Gardner.