NEW ZEALAND MUST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22260, 12 May 1934, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND MUST

A NOTABLE COLLECTION MELBOURNE EXHIBITION. / IFrojc Oujs Own Correspondent.) /. MELBOURNE, May 4. Art critics have nothing but praise’ for a fine collection of modern water colours now being shown in Melbourne by a New Zealand artist, Mrs Sherwood, who has just spent eight years. .in Europe. The display has been described as one of the most interesting and instructive collections of water colours ever gathered in Melbourne. It is said to be an illuminating commentary on the latest Froch methods of water colour. Mr Blamire Young, a noted critic, says that Mrs Sherwood’s courage is her great asset. In the eight or nine years that have elapsed since the first showing of her pictures in Melbourne she has made great progress, and he is convinced that she will go further still. It is said that she intencU to Ambark upon a series of designs based upon the mountainous country of Victoria. “If that is so,” says Mr Young, “ we shall have to look forward to a great treat next spring.” Mrs Sherwood’s display brings; irresistahly to the mind two other women from the Dominion who have luade’their definite mark in European CultureKatherine Mansfield and Francis Hodgkins. “The latter we knew well in Melbourne,” says Mr Young, “ but when we look round our National Gallery we have to admit that we were in those days unable to appreciate her great qualities and take advantage of our opportunities. Her prestige in London came later, and after that she did not , return. Francis Hodgkins was an original and conscious artist. Her management of water colour was her own, and owed nothing to the amenities of French paper merchants. It would be unfair to subject Mrs Sherwood to too close a comparison with her great countrywoman. We are, however, glad to recognise the good fortune of New Zealand in her accomplished daughters, only wishing that -Australia could lay claim to a distinction of th# same order.”