OTAGO ART SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3114, 19 November 1913, Page 74

OTAGO ART SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION.

THE GALLERY OPENED.

On the 10th the annual exhibition of pictures under the auspices of the Otago Art Society was thrown open to the public. Mr G. Joachim, president of society, said they opened this exhibition this year tinder very exceptional circumstances. When the public had so much else of importance to distract their attention, the society could hardly expect to receive the same patronage it had Jiaid in the past. Still, he believed they had some claim on public support. The Otago Daily Times, in a very appreciative article published in Saturday's issue, fully recognised the oh inf the society had on the public. Owing to the strike they were deprived sof the exhibits from Sydney, and also many from the North Island—an indication of how far reaching the effect of a strike was. It meant that, with the exception of two or three exhibits, they were thrown almost entirely on the resources of New Zealand artists, for he claimed that Miss Hodgkins and Miss Sale were New Zealanders, and those present saw what the society was able to do. The exhibits were the efforts of a large number of artists who were earnestly striving to do their best for Art, and there was every reason to be proud that such a collection of pictures could bo shown here. It was comparatively easy to criticise, but he thought, upon reflection, there was much cause for hopefulness. These exhibitors were entitled to a generous support, which will bo much appreciated by them and by the council of the Art Society. A little sympathy would go much further than criticism, and would be much more helpful. iWith a view of popularising the exhibition the price of the art union tickets had been reduced from 2s 6d to Is each, and ho trusted this would meet with approval in the form of increased sales. Ho scarcely thought the competition pictures as a whole ■were equal to those of past years cither in numbers or quality, but no doubt this was owing to so many having sent pictures to the Auckland Exhibition. Ho called their (attention to the excellent photographs exhibited by the Dunedin Photographic Society, many of which were most artistic and beautiful. In conclusion, bo read the list of prizes awarded by the society, which was as follows:

Two guineas for still lifo in oil or water colours.—Miss G. E. Butler (School of Art, Christchurch). One guinea for landscape in water colour. —Miss F. C. Mowat (School of Art, lJunedin). • Two guineas for study of at head in oil or water colour.—Miss A. Perry (School of >Art, Dunedin). One guinea for study of a head from lifo In pencil, chalk, or charcoal.—Mr L. H. Latimer (School of Art, Dunedin). | The society also offered a prize of one guinea for a landscape in oil. Only one entry was received, and the judges did not consider it of sufficient merit to award the prize Mr Joachim then (declared the exhibition open.