ROYAL ACADEMY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23828, 7 June 1939, Page 19

ROYAL ACADEMY

NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTED CHRISTCHURCH AND DUNEDIN ARTISTS NATIVITY IN MODERN SETTING (From Oub Own Correspondent) LONDON, May 1. An oil, a water-colour, two etchings and a bronze represent New Zealand in the summer exhibition of the Royal Academy, the work of Christchurch and Dunedin artists and a Christchurch sculptor. The oil is by Mrs Elizabeth Kelly, and it is a portrait of "Enid Berwyn." It is hung above Lady Nunburnholme. by Cathleen Mann, and both are adjacent to a portrait of Hilaire Belloc by James Dunn. Enid Berwyn is a brunette; she is wearing a bluey-black dress, which contrasts sharply with a scarlet and white scarf. Cream curtains form the background. The water-colour is by Mrs Eleanor Hughes; its title is "Monday," suggested by' sheets and cloths and other domestic items airing on a clothes line. They are seen from above, the artist overlooking the fringe of what appears to be a village of grey roofs and houses built round a road. The etchings are bv Mr E. Heber Thompson (Dunedin). They are entitled "Interval" and "Pauline Reposes." The bronze is by Mr F. A. Shurrock. It is a fine head, and the title is Rewi Alley. It is not in the sculpture section, but is one of four bronze heads in Gallery 8. An Unusual Picture

The Academy has been criticised this year for lacking a picture of the year and for being without a problem picture. There are, however, several that are the cause of a great deal of comment. One is "The Nativity," by Louisa Hodgson, who, last year, attracted a great deal of attention with "The Birth of Venus," showing the amazement of fishermen who had netted a well-proportioned nude. Those who might expect a picture called "The Nativity to depict a mixture of sentiment and religion are in for something of a shock. Instead of a conventional manger and worshipping wise men, the artist has shown a bedroom in a suburban house, with an iron bedstead, a bright pink and blue bedcover, and a vivid: electric light that is almost harsh. Three men are half bowing, half stooping, beside the bed, in which a baby, resembling a china Buddha, in a Victorian nightdress, is held by an average-looking mother. On the other side of the bed, gripping a large shawl, is a chinless individual, presumably the father. Under the bed are a bowler hat and a toy lamb, the latter evidently the gift of the three visitors.

The picture is striking for its unusualness, its bright colours and decisive work. The craftsmanship is excellent and must be admired, but whether many will like the, picture itself is a matter for individual taste. It is certainly something to talk about. Minnie!

Two more works which will also be the subject of a great deal of comment are by James Fitton. The ordinary man in the street, who " knows what he likes when he sees it," might well be pardoned if he asked why these works should have been selected. One is called "Minnie." At first sight, from a distance, it appears to be the effort of an adolescent. It looks smudgy and indistinct. At closer quarters the figure is seen to be an enormous woman, with arms and legs as large as hams She is dressed in a scintillating tinsel frock, and a large white bow holds her hair in place. The bodice is low, and she holds a box of chocolates. Her limbs are almost nigger colour. Actually, Minnie is the fat lady of a circus, and she travels all over England. The artist is said to have paid twopence to see her at a fair, and he is declared to have said: "I did not paint my picture to make people laugh. To me a girl of her weight is rather a tragic figure, certainly not a subject for fun." She is certainly a subject for some amazement. Mr Fitton's second picture is almost equally arresting for its crayon-like effect. It is called "Judith," and it shows a small girl in a nightgown holding a large cat. as children will often clasp cats, to the animal's discomfort. After the immaculate work of other artists, the somewhat hazy treatment and outline are a violent contrast. To visit the academy from year to year is to renew annual acquaintanceships. The work of several artists can frequently be recognised without reference to the catalogue. Place of Honour Nobody can mistake Dame Laura Knight's gipsies. She has several excellent portraits this year, and the academy has also given "The Harvest " the place of honour. It shows no gipsies, for if is a large landscape. In the foreground are a horse and two donkeys, and a couple lolling on a rock. Below them spreads a rich valley in which harvesting is in progress. In the distance are row upon row of hills. Sunlight streams down on the scene in broad rays. It is an interesting picture, emphasising the artist's great skill. Another old friend is George Belcher, who usually produces a snub-nosed individual as a butt for merriment. This year his portraits are more serious. "Dinner at Eight" is perhaps more in his usual vein, showing the delights of the modest guormand. On a lighted stove sausages are frying. There is bread, a tomato, and a bottle, suspiciously like a whisky bottle. Lamorna Birch

It is not difficult to recognise the work of Lamorna Birch, who is well known to New Zealanders. Six of his works have been hung, and they are all distinctive for his characteristic colouring. They are all land or seascapes. The work of J. A. Munnings is also easy to find. He is renowned for his paintings of horses and hounds, and he also has had six of his works selected. One is of Steve Donoghue, the well-known trainer and former lockey. who is on an attractive mount. An immaculate portrait with a background of hills is almost certain to be by G. L. Brockhurst, and there are half a dozen to be studied again this year. One of them is called "By the Hills." but the background is easily subservient to the subject a charming brunette. Celebrities After the work of favourite artists it is always interesting to notice the celebrities who have been painted. There are always several portraits of royalty This year there Is a portrait of the King bv Francis Hodge, and Simon Elwes has an imposing picture of Queen Mary. There is also one of the Duchess of Kent, but she is not Hattered. After such a year of crises it is not unexpected that Mr Chamberlain should be included The portrait is by Mr Dunn, and some critics have declared the Premier to be the bestdressed man in the Academy. At all events, his morning dress is considered a perfect fit. Mrs Chamberlain has been painted by Mr Oswald Birley, who has New Zealand associations. The same artist is also responsible for a fine portrait of a kindly Earl Baldwin. Notable pictures are the launching of the Queen Elizabeth, exceptional for detail by Mr Charles Cundall. and "Trial and Error." by G. M. Frampton who includes an assortment of articles. There is a vase with a pear balanced on the top. a head, a tea not with a chrysanthemum stuck in it, the Queen of Spades, and a roll of paper. Strube has not hesitated to use it for a cartoon, with the head shown as Hitler's. It is a peculiar picture, and has prompted the query as to whether surrealism has won its way into the Academy.