ART SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17328, 30 May 1918, Page 2

ART SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION

Tan animal exhibition of work of tho students oi llie Dunedin Sohool of Ait forms not tho leiifct attractive portion of tho winter exhibiuon oi tlio Utago Art Society. le sr.hoo[ exhibits havo been more cxten sive on previous occasions, but wo do not leniember having seen them morn generally attractive. 'i lie colour work naturally ai!i' acts tlle . °> e lirst, and the «roaM>r portion ot tins con.si.ste of that soundest ol all studies lor tho painter—si ill life. The number and ijuajity of these studies all'oid proof of the solid work done by the students; the close study of values, the suceessiil giapnling with jnoblenis of composition, lighting, and atmosphere, and tu<; evidently careful analysis of colour sensation show that the instruction is sound and broad. These paintings aro execute*! both m oil colour and water colour, though the latter medium predominates this year. They reflect high credit upon Mrs Ila.ycs, Misses 'driver, Green, Bardslev, Wood, 1 iddington, ajid other students. There aro also examples of painting the head from life, in which department tho works of Misses Gordon, Slalmond, and Mowat are noticeable. A set of sketches of old buildings t of curious nooks, quaint alleys, and by-ways of Dunedin will be a surprise to most. of our citizens who are in the habit ot thinking that such picturesque decay is the monopoly of the older countries. Misses ptark and O'Donnell aro to be congratulated on opening up a new vein in the gold-mine which the beautilul surroundings of this city of ours have always afforded to art-lovers. Technically also these sketches reveal appreciation for colour, light, line, and composition. By far tho greater number of works exhibited, as is natural m a School of Art, where thoroughnesses more sought after than showy results, consist of drawings in light and shade from the cast, tho antique, and from life. These drawings are executed in pencil or in charC ? a 'i. :l " c ' *' le "umber and quality, especially of the work from the life, will astonish the average visitor to the gallery. It is evident, that though the attendance at the school has been seriously affected bv the war, enthusiasm for art "is still vigorously alive among the students and the staff. It is no easy task to discriminate and to select among such a plethora- of successful examples, and the task is rendered more difficult by the policy of the school in preferring that students should aim at excellence for its own sake, not for the sake of having their name on the drawing l , but we should like to mention the names of Misses White, Salmond. Gordon. Rae, Wood, WiW>n, M"nro, O'Keeflre. Hank'nson, M'Pherson, Slipo Goudie, Bonn, and Messrs Lancrrmiir, Miller, Hosie, Walkinshaw. and Frasor as among tlie more prominent exhibitors. There is also a small but excellent display of show cards and decorative designs, -in which Miss O'Keeffe, Messrs Raffils. and others show ev'dence of much natural ability and careful study. In tho art crafts thcTe is a considerable shrinkage of quantity owing to the difficulty experienced from time to time in obtaining material for large works, but thero is none the less an interesting and attractive display. Jewellery, enamelling, l beaten copper, and pewter ware, leather work, wood-carving, and many other crafts are represented, and show conclusively the possibilities and opportunities afforded by the school for home decoration and the artistic adornment of the person at small cost. We are told that all these crafts aro of such a nature as to be readily acquired by the average young lady, and, considering the undoubted art value of the productions, it is a matter of astonishment to learn that tho public is largely apathetic towards the art crafts. We are sure that the results shown will attract so much attention that the possibilities of making our own pewter, silver or copper frames, mirrors, clocks, rose bowls, vases, trays caskets, candle sconces, jewellery, hair combs, toilet accessories, one's own fenders, coal vases, gate plates, etc., etc., will fill the school of art crafts to overflowing with keen young ladies, anxious to make their homes beautiful. The works of Mesdames Ramsay, Hayes. Howard, and of Misses Andrew, Ferens. Bevin M'Pherson, Hartley, Ulrich, Bardsley, Hawcrd"e G»reen, Bagley, F. Oirgill, and Mr John ■Hartley must go far to convince tho most S f e ?J lca • beauty and attractiveness of the simple crafts, dealt wtih under suitable art impulses. Very general praise is accorded also to tho art needlework displayed. Unostentatiously but very persistently, the school has pushed the claims of needlework to be considered an a,rt, when executed from the student s own design, and where .design and purpose were happily wedded to the means and material of execution. It is pleasant to karn that appreciation for the arts of embroidery, applique, lace work and other forms of needle craft is consider' TW+ °n l in £ rease - Mrs Swing, Misses Butt, Duhig, Green, and Nicholson are among the more prominent of tho needlewomen The two examples of modelling from the ant-que—two fine_ copies of the' Venus do Medici—are almost bevond criticism, and do much credit to Miss F r?.u ' ancl to William Fvfe ' 1 general nature of the work is suo,h as to allow us unreservedly to congratulate Mr Hawcridge und his staff on their successful efforts. The school exhibits . should 1 S °" rCe f ° , consi <J"able attraction to art lovers of all ages, and add to the X- .ai nl 7 na . s, "S reputation of the Duncdm iSchool of Art and Art Crafts