“ART IN NEW ZEALAND”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21988, 24 June 1933, Page 6

“ART IN NEW ZEALAND”

An illustrated feature of the June issue of “Art in New Zealand” consists in reproductions of . exhibits at the annual exhibition of the Canterbury Society of Arts. These include a colour-plate of Rata Lovell-Smith’s picture entitled “ Snow, Mount Oxford,” and a number in black and white, of which W. J. Reid’s “Giant Gum” is. perhaps, the most impressive. A critical survey of this exhibition by Francis A. Shurrock is well worth consideration from more than oue point of view, for he asks some pertinent questions. He emphasises also a point concerning which there can scarcely be too much reiteration when he says: “ Speaking generally,’ there are quite a number of works which ignore form—with disaster, for good painting is form expressed in terms of colour or otherwise: form must be recognised as an essential in colour presentations. The annual exhibition of the Auckland Society of Art is likewise illustrated in this number through the medium on one coloured plate and others in black and white, and is discussed in an article by A J. C. Fisher. From the point of view of presenting a variety of interest the illustrations appear to be well selected A pen and ink study of a windmill by E M‘Eldowney and an etching of Dunfermline by W, S. Percy justify their inclusion. Prominent in the literary contents is “ Considerations on Certain Music of J. S. Bach,” by J. C. Beaglehole, which may be regarded as a rhythmic adventure. ’ There are contributions also by E. C. Simpson, lima Levy, J. Maltou Murray, and others. “Thespian Memories,” by 11. E. Nicholls is continued, and’ the London Letter and Art Notes round off the contents of an issue which may be considered well up to standard,