ART EXHIBITION

Southland Times, Issue 22733, 8 November 1935, Page 4

ART EXHIBITION

AN EXCELLENT DISPLAY LATE MR BROOKESMITH’S WORK True art consists of two characters, the earnest and' intense seizing of natural facts, and the ordering of. those facts so as to make them serviceable, memorable and beautiful. Whenever art is practised for its own sake, and the delight of the workman is in what he interprets or exhibits, then it is always helpful and beneficient. There is no doubt that the art of the late Frank Brookesmith, a Southland artist whose work is at present on view in the Women’s Club rooms, was possessed of the verities of sincerity and understanding. His art described and explained, and followed the observation of fact.

The pictures on display are a splendid collection of oils and water-colours, and exhibits covering a long period include many of the artist’s best efforts. Mr Brookesmith resided for many years in Southland and in his pictures he found and held the warmth of the beautiful province where he lived and painted, and that he .vas very close to the good earth is spoken in all his work. His style is clean and graceful, and he was equally at home recording Invercargill’s quiet 5 scenery or the flaunting glories of Queenstown, Milford Sound and Stewart Island. It is difficult to award the palm to any particular picture. Several pictures of Queenstown in autumn suggest blue and gold weather, “Willows at Waikiwi” is an essay in sweet simplicity, and “Milford Sound,” featuring tlv well-known Mitre Peak, is a very carefully considered study. Several views of the Makarewa river strike a note of rare beauty, while the windy atmosphere of “Stormy Day, Paterson Inlet” is admirably conveyed. Mr Brookesmith was a draughtsman of merit, and by his careful placements of the incidentals of nature, cattle, sheep, composed harmoniously with lheir setting, he presents the Southland rural scene with truthful accuracy. This is noticeable in some of the country scenes on view. In the “Estuary Near Kew” the oleaginous reflections of the tidal water are well conveyed, and a picture of the crooked arm of Doubtful Sound is really excellent. Altogether the exhibition is one that nobody interested in painting and pictures can afford to miss. It concludes to-day.