NEW ZEALAND ARTISTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11247, 27 June 1922, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND ARTISTS

WORKS AT If OURAY FULLER'S GALLERY. PICTURES AS AN INVESTMENT. Popular appreciation of the fino work now being done by some of our young New Zealand artists found very practical proof at the recent annual exhibition of the Auckland Society of Pine Arts, the sales total being quite substantially in excess of all previous records. This is probably accounted for by a wider recognition of the fact that the purchase of good sound work by rising New Zealand artists may afford, in addition to the pleasure of present possession, a strong probability of future profit. In Australia the high prices now realised by the water colours <Jf the late J. J. Hilder must be decidedly gratifying to those discriminating buyers of his work bho invested very modest sums in some of his pictures but a few years ago. With Under’s work that of the wellkfnown Wellington artist, Mr Nugent Welch, has no small affinity, both' in conception and treatment. ‘ The sincerity, the quiet dignity, and compelling oharm of Mr Welch’s work has rarely been more markedly exemplified than in some new paintings from his clever brush whioh are now on view at the Murray Puller Gallery, opposite the Midland Hotel. "A Cloudy Day, Pahiatua,” with the subtle witchery of its delicate atmospheric ©fleets, is a specially pleasing example of Mr Welch’s art. Other pictures by the same clever. brush have Silverstream ecenesas theirsuhjects, and a view in Central Park, Wellington, with its strong draughtsmanship and its harmonious colour, will find many admirers. Mr Welch is also represented by a very striking oil painting, "The Old Fridge, Silverstream,” the rich sunset glow in which provides a singularly beautiful effect.

Some quite sparkling water colours by Mr Archibald Niooll, R.8.A., and drawings by Mr Weekes, and a young Christchurch artist, whose work is of distinct promise, Mr Ronald Mackenzie, together with two exceptionally fine scenes in the Southern Alps by Mr Mentiies Gibbs, notably "Mount’ Howe, on the West Coast Road,” which is a most harmonious and very charming transcription in paint of New Zealand’s scenic beauty, are also all worthy of inspection by lovers of art.