ART OF CARICATURE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23858, 12 July 1939, Page 14

ART OF CARICATURE

DRAWINGS OF FAMOUS PEOPLE WELLINGTON ARTIST’S EXHIBITION WELL-KNOWN CARTOONIST INCLUDED (Erom Our Own Correspondent) LONDON, June 19. Nearly 90 well-known people have been caricatured by Mr Alap Reeve, of Wellington, for his first exhibition in London. Mr Reeve, who left New Zealand five years ago and reached England last year by way of Australia, is hoping that his exhibition will assist him in his climb to the top of the ladder. Five New Zealanders have sat for him:—Mr W. J. Jordan, the High Commissioner; David Low, the cartoonist: Merton Hodge, Sir Hugh Walpole, and Miss Marie Ney. Both Mr Jordan and Merton Hodge were present at the private view to see themselves' thro,ugh the eyes of Mr Reeve, and Low is to see the exhibition this 'week. > Mr Reeve has had several talks with the cartoonist, who, so far, has not seen his work. In the caricature of Low, the Wellington artist has caught a glimpse of him in a mood well-known to his friends. Low is always very definite in his statements. Invariably, when he has delivered himself on a downright point of view, he shoots a quizzical glance, at his listener to see hpw the statement has been received. Mr Reeve has drawn Low in one of these almost mischievous moments, and has given a twinkle of humour to the eyes peeping out from below enormous bushy eyebrows.

Mr Jordan was considerate enough to give the Wellington artist three sittings. and the result is a thoughtful study of a man of the people with a determined jutting jaw. Another High Commissioner also figures in. the exhibition—Mr Stanley Bruce, of Australia. Mr Bruce had no time to spare to the New Zealander for sittings, but nevertheless the artist had met him twice, and with the aid of his memories and good photographs he has given Mr Bruce a pert, parroty look.

The Australian High Commissioner was practically the only person who did not give Mr Reeve a sitting. Even Mr Bernard Shaw spared, the time, and his caricature was the first in the exhibition to be sold.

One of the most interesting people who sat for the New Zealander was Mr Vernon Bartlett, M.P., the wellknown political journalist. Another was Miss Margaret Rawlings, the actress, whose personality provided a contrast to that of Miss Marie Ney. Mr Reeve has a great admiration for both, and an appreciation of their different characters. While Miss Ney, he says, has an air of watchful correctness, Miss Rawlings is almost casual by contrast. Other people who have sat for Mr Reeve include Viscount Castleross, the Marquess of Donegall, Lady Gloria Fisher, Viscount Goschen, Lord Killanin, the Earl of Lytton, Mr Herbert Morrison, M.P., Mr F, W. Ogilyy (Director-general of the 8.8. C.), Viscountess Rhondda. Sir Archibald Sinclair, M.P., Lord Strabolgi, Lord Southwood, Dame Marie Tempest, Ellen Wilkinson, M.P., Miss Rebecca West, Gilbert Frankau and Sir Kingsley Wood, M.P.

“I find that quite a number of people do not like their own caricatures, although their friends may do so,” said Mr Reeve. Many of his drawings are in colour or are sketched on different coloured oackgrounds. Mr Herbert Morrison and Miss Ellen Wilkinson appear on a pink background, Mr Mark Hambourg on a light green, and Mr Alexander Korda and Mr Vernon Bartlett on a fawn. . _ “If I do not succeed in London, I shall go to America,” said Mr Reeve.