“WORK FOR LOCAL ARTISTS”

Southland Times, Issue 23678, 29 November 1938, Page 6

“WORK FOR LOCAL ARTISTS”

Models For Court At Exhibition ART STUDENTS MAY BE EMPLOYED It is possible that two of the features of the Southland court at the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition will be models of the city of Invercargill and the Bluff harbour, constructed by pupils of the Southland Technical College. The advantages of having this work done by local artists and not, as had been suggested, by American artists was emphasized by speakers yesterday afternoon at a meeting of the Southland Provincial Court Committee. It was decided that the Central Court Committee, Wellington, be advised that the work could be done in Southland, with the suggestion that other provincial court committees be recommended to explore the possibilities of utilizing the service of local artists for work on their dourts.

A suggestion was also made that the art students of the Technical College undertake the whole of the work on the Southland court, but this was held over for future consideration. Mr T. H. Jenkin and Mr R. H. Parker, of the staff of the Southland Technical College, were present at the meeting by invitation. The following members were present: Mr J. H. Reed (chairman), Mrs S. J. Randle and Messrs H. F. Dr ewe, H. J. Far rant, R. H. Parker, C. S. Mackay, W. George, L. S. Alsweiler and F. G. Stevenson. Mr Jenkin said a general scheme was very desirable. Uniformity was necessary. The difficulty would, however, be to avoid all the provinces being marked by the same colour scheme. It seemed a pity that technical schools and art schools throughout New Zealand could not be mobilized so that each province could have some distinctive work, typical of the province, done by its own artists. Youngsters throughout New Zealand should have the opportunity of contributing something towards the exhibition. In his opinion, technical schools and art schools should be approached and urged to take some part in the work for the provincial courts.

WORK FOR SOUTHLAND COURT Mr Drewe said he understood from Mr Jenkin’s remarks that all the work could not be done by technical colleges and art schools, but that what was required for the Southland court could be done by the Southland Technical College. Mr Jenkin said that he did not suggest that all the work could he done by the colleges, but a model of Invercargill, or’ something similar could be constructed. i

Mr Mackay said that, in his opinion, Mr Parker and Mr'Jenkin could do the bulk of the work. Southland had its own particular features which could be represented by its own artists better than by outside artists. * “We should make up our minds,” said Mr Farrant, “that the space available for the Southland court should be devoted to showing in a big way our scenic attractions and primary industries. If that can be-arranged we should find out whether Southland artists can do the whole job. We know from what we have seen of the . work at the Technical College that the students, under Mr Jenkin and Mr Parker, are quite capable of doing the work. If we can get to the point of constructing our own court we should see whether all the work can be done at the Technical College.” c Mr Parker said the Technical College students and masters could make the models of Invercargill and the Bluff harbour and do it for no great cost. There would be an abundance of material available for the artists, as there was more variety in Southland than in any other province in New Zealand. There was nothing represented in Southland which could not be modelled. . , Mr Reed: Both Mr Jenkin and Mr Parker are of the opinion, then, that the necessary models could be done in Southland and done effectively. Mr Farrant: Not only that; the work could be done better because it would have the true Southland atmosphere. Mr Reed: Yes, their patriotism to the province would prompt them to put their best into the work. Mr Reed thanked Mr Jenkin and Mr Parker for their attendance and for the assistance they had given. It was decided that the Southland Technical College be thanked for its offer to construct models of Invercargill city and Bluff harbour, and that the Central Court Committee, Wellington, be advised that the work could be done x

locally. It was also decided that it be suggested to the Central Court Committee that other provincial committees be advised of Southland’s action with a recommendation that they explore the possibilities of utilizing the services of local artists in their districts. The question of employing Southland artists for more than the construction of models of Invercargill city and Bluff harbour was held over for future consideration.