VITALITY IN ART

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23688, 21 December 1938, Page 6

VITALITY IN ART

CANADIAN PAINTINGS CONTEMPORARY EXHIBITION DISPLAY IN ART GALLERY A; typteof art that , is a distinct breakaway from, the traditional style and is possessed; of strong national characteristics is to be seen in the exhibition of contemporary Canadian paintings which is at present on view in the Aft Gallery, Logan Park. The collection, which comprises about ,100 paintings, will be on display in the Art Gallery for the next few weeks, and full opportunity will be provided for citizens of Dunedin as well as visitors to see it. That the exhibition is well worth seeing there can be no doubt. There are some pictures which everyone will not find it possible to admire, but their interest will certainly be stimulated, for in all the work there "is a vitality that compels attention. Taken altogether, the exhibition is an attractive one which should have a wide general appeal, and it will be surprising if it does not command a good deal of attention during the next few weeks.

One of the strongest national characteristics about a good deal of the work is the prevalence of snow subjects, and in this connection it is interesting to see how this feature of the Canadian landscape for a large part of the year has been approached by different artists. Exceedingly striking are two paintings by Lawren S. Harris, “ Icebergs and Mountains, Greenland,” and “Fish House, Coldwell, Laf „ Superior. - ’ Of sharply contrasting designs, both are notable for unusual colouring and for a radical treatment of the subject. Their impression on the observer is instant.

A particularly attractive treatment of a snow scene is found in “ The Ice Harvest, Quebec,” by Clarence A. Gagnon. In this picture the artist has introduced an exceedingly pleasing quality into the snow colouring, providing a fine setting for the small figures of men and horses in the foreground. This is a picture which will have a wide appeal. Opinion on Prudence Heward’s “Rollande” is likely to be divided. Almost startling in its effect, the boldly-limned figure of a girl set against an angular background is instantly compelling, but it is possible that the immediate reaction of many will be an antipathy that will prejudice really reasoned criticism. Of a different style, but little less striking, is a study of miners at work, “Coal Diggers,” by Otto Schellenberger. Here the strong figures of the miners have been set against a prismatic screen in which line and lighting have been fused to produce an unusual and interesting effect. A thoroughly delightful snow study which will have a very wide appeal is “Snow Fall,” by Paraskeva Clark. A simple little thing, its treatment of the subject is extremely effective.

More in the traditional style of art than the majority of the pictures in the exhibition are one or 'two portraits. In “The Mauve Decade,” a study of an elderly woman, Dorothy Stevens has captured a fine expression of memory. Randolph S. Hewton’s “Portrait of Miss B, Warner,” which has been lent by the National Gallery of Canada, is full of dignity and grace, and another very attractive study in this field is a strong, self-portait by Lilias Torrance Newton, which has also Come from the National Gallery of Canada.'

Reminiscent o:t schoolboy tales of Daniel Boone and other backwoods heroes of the story books is Charles William Jeffery’s romantic “Alexander Webster at the Pacific.” Although it may not appeal to the sophisticate, it will have .an- instant appeal for persons who like their art in milder doses than it is frequently administered nowadays, and are capable of responding to a stimulant to the imagination. Taken altogether, the exhibition is notable for life, colour, and movement, which should ensure for it a wide measure of public attention during the period in which it is on display.