ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9955, 26 April 1918, Page 8

ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

SKETCH EXHIBITION. . Art gives us-the mirror of life at a given moment, hence tho interest and value inherent in the paintings, sketches, and drawings on view at the exhibition now being held at the art gallery, Whitmore street. From works oi art statements. parallel and different, may be obtained: in them wo see how our contemporaries are ordering their lives; how tjiey regard the world in which they move and have their being; we learn something of their ideas of propriety and behaviour; ot the homes in which cney dwell, and their ideas concerning things in general. From paintings, drawings, and’ sketches we gain also a knowledge of their desires and aspirations; their ideas regarding the spiritual life and the world beyond. Art establishes connecting lings between peopie and epochs, and it is to ourt rat, more than anything elso probaoly. that the archaeologists and ethnologists of the future will turn for revelations of om attitude to life. The historian of the future, too. will discover m our art a concrete expression of the ideals that animate our lives. The records left by the drtist are disinterested statements oi tho lifo around him. and they are. therefore. of especial value; such records contain, the feelings that belong to the moment of their production, and thus it is that an exhibition of work such as that now on view at the Art Gallery, if it could be handed on to posterity in its entirety, would be of inestimable --Eire. The variety of art endeavour, and the skill displayed dn the rendering of character, and of many transient and subtle effects of light and shade are evidence in themselves that our artists have felt the force and truth of the words of the poet who sang: "The beauty which old Greece or Rome Sung, painted, wrought, lies hero at home; We need but eye and ear In all our walks to trace The outlines of. incarnate grace, Tho hymns of gods to hear." ‘The exhibition will be open to ihe public to-day and to-morrow (Saturday) from 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., and in vhe from, 7.30 till 9.30. The art union for which a large number of tickets have already been sold, will ho drawn in the Exhibition Gallery to-night at 8.30 p-m., and it is hoped that the art loving section of the public will take the. opportunity of showing their interest in the work of the Academy by their presence. Application forms for membership in the Academy of Fine Arts may be procured from the custodian at tho Irt Gallery or on application to the secretary or members of tho council.