MANY REJECTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 671, 24 May 1929, Page 11

MANY REJECTS

ART SOCIETY’S SHOW STANDARD BEING RAISED At the-Art Gallery, Kitchener Street, in a dim, morgue-like room, piled with their faces to the wall, are the pictures that have been rejected by the Hanging Committee of the Auckland Society of Arts, for this year’s show. L AST year, and even more so- this, j an attempt has been made by the society’s council and the Hanging Committee to elevate the standard of art, with the result that many pictures which would have got by in former years have been rejected. The method of selection adopted by the Hanging Committee was as simple and impartial as it could be made. The pictures were placed before it one by one at such a distance as to make the signatures unreadable, although, of course, the work of betterknown artists could be recognised immediately. A vote was then taken, the pictures being placed into one of three grades:—A, selected without doubt; B, placed aside for further consideration; and C, rejected. With all the A class pictures hung, the B class were looked over again for the purpose of selecting pictures to fill certain vacant places on the walls. This was the only possible system, although it might easily react unfavourably on some artists. It might have happened ttjat the best of the B class pictures was too large to fill an available place, and, therefore, it would have to be rejected in favour of a picture coming nearer to the space requirements. Considerable care has been takeiwith the hanging of the chosen pictures, and the gallery has been arranged in a way to have them properly spaced. This extra space has been gained through hanging pictures a little higher than usual, although none will be too high to prevent adequate inspection. The exhibition will he opened on Wednesday evening by the Governor General, Sir Charles Fergusson. On Monday afternoon, Lady Alice Fergusson will have a private view of the show. She will be accompanied by the president of the society. Dr. E. B. Gunson, and members of the council.