OPENING OF THE SUTER MEMORIAL ART GALLERY.

Colonist, Volume XLII, Issue 9500, 8 June 1899, Page 2 (Supplement)

OPENING OF THE SUTER MEMORIAL ART GALLERY.

The formal opening of the Art Gallery erected as a memorial of the late Bishop Suter took place at half-past two o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, May 31st, there being a considerable attendance of spectators, who fairly represented the citizens.

The Bishop of Nelson took his station on the steps leading to the main entrance, and was accompanied by the trustees of the Gallery, Messrs J. Graham, M.H.R., F. Trask (Mayor), Rev. J. P. Eempthorne, Colonel Pitt, Messrs C. Y. Fell, J. Sclanders and A. T. Maginnity. The Bishop, addressing the assemblage, said that he was quite sure that it was a matter for general congratulation that the memorial was at last oompleted. It was unquestionably a subject of very great satisfaction that the memorial was of a form .which would have had the approval of him most deeply concerned, as they had grounds for the supposition that the Art Gallery would fulfil a desire of him who had gone beforehand. Before her departure from Nelson, Mrs Suter had given expression to her view of the present memorial being the most suitable, and while at Home she gave the pictures, now hung in the Gallery, for this special object. He (the Bishop) had recently been looking over some correspondence which had strongly impressed him with the view that from a very early time Bishop Suter had the establishment of an Art Gallery in view, as far back as 1882 there appeared quite a settled intention in his mind on this point, and they well knew that to him essentially they owed the foundation of the Gallery. Not only this, but much else of benefit to the town and district, and they could not forgst his liberality, largeheartedness, energy, and originality, nor also hew much tbs late Mrs Suter was an adequate helper of her hnsband. (Hear, hear). He thought all would recognise in the building before them one worthy of the end for which it was erected, and a good deal was owing to the architects (Messrs Fitzgerald & Clere), the builders (Messrs Robertson Bros.), and the supervisor (Mr W. Bethwaite). A great deal also was* owing to the trustees of the Nelson School Society— (bear, hear) — and he wai very glad of the opportunity to acknowledge their services. Not only the site and the building now connected with the Gallery were received from the trustees, but properties in other parts of the district as well. Certain conditions were attached by the School Sooiety trustees, and one was that a portrait of the late Mr Matthew Campbell, founder of the Society, should find a place on the walls of the Gallery. A difficulty had arisen, however, in obtaining a satisfactory likeness of Mr Campbell. The family had been appealed to before they left Nelson, bnt bo far the difficulty had not been overcome, but it was a temporary one only, and as soon as the portrait could be obtained a picture would be painted and pl&ced in position. He was glad also of the opportunity of thanking those ladies who had canvassed for subscriptions. A good deal had been done, but he was afraid that, when they considered the gift that had been made to them, and the source from which it came, and looking upon the Gallery as a memorial, they must admit that their own personal gifts had hitherto hardly been adequate to the gift from him to whom the memorial was raised. Gratitude had been described as thanks for favors past and a lively expectation for favors to come — (laughter)— and they, perhaps, were grateful in that sense. His Lordship then referred to the Exhibition then on view in the Gallery, and after mentioning the attractive display of the Camera Club members, he spoke of the pictures, the gift of the late Mrs Suter, which would permanently remain in the Gallery. Some of these were j by the late Mr John Gully, and he had no doubt but that when the late Bishop secured these he had some idea in his mind of their coming to some such place. He felt sure that the late Mr Gully, from his personal attachment to the the late Bishop Suter, would have been proud of their present position. (Hear, hear.) The trustees of the Gallery hoped that the building would be of real service to the town and neighborhood — not merely an ornament, but of real utility. The, Trustees hoped that the Gallery would facilitate the studies of any serious students of art in their midst (and they had had more than one), but apart from anything so advanced he was sure that the School would do good service from a utilitarian aspect. He had recently come across some words "shich exactly expressed the troth, the solid troth, in, connection

with this matter, and these were to the effect tbat the examination of the best work of the past and present, showed that the work exercising the most influence was that in which the 1 spirit had been niost truly Christian; (Applause 1 .) After the Doxology had been sung, his Lordship, turning the key, declared the building duly opened.

In the early evening* there was a large attendance, and favorable 1 cdranlent was made upon 1 the excellent lighting. During the evening a capital selection of lantern slides was exhibited, the pictures coming from Wellington exhibitors and the studio •f* Messrs Redworth and Hamilton. These views were very muoh appreciated; Tomorrow evening, a further series will be exhibited from sltdei prepared by Messrs Fell and Humphries, and these are bound ,to attract attention. This evening a miscellaneous concert programme will be rendered, Mr Q. F. Naylor having charge of the arrangements.'

A large number of persons visited the Suter Memorial Art Gallery yesterday, and in the evening a concert, which had bean organised by Mr G. F. Naylor, organist of the Cathedral, was given. Two choruses from " Samson," entitled •• Thrown round about the Starry Throne" and "Fixed in His Everlasting Seat," were well rendered by a powerful combination from the Cathedral and All Saints' choirs. Mrs Percy Adams sang very sweetly " The Soa hath its Pearls" and a song from " Ottone," receiving a deoisive encore -for her rendering of the latter. Mr H. Poole sang " Sweethearts," and was accorded a well-deserved encore. A duet, " Excelsior," given by Messrs H. Poole and A. C. Maginnity wa3 well suog, and received hearty applause; Mr Naylor acted as accompanist for the soloists, and materially added to the success of the vocalists by his sympathetic playing. At the conclusion of the concert Colonel Pitt, on behalf of the Trustees of the Art Gallery, expressed their cordial thanks to Mr Naylor, and to the ladies and gentlemen who had given their assistance at the concert. He had been told by a competent authority that the room had proved an excellent one to sing in and he hoped it would not, by any means, be the last concert they would hear in -the building.

The attendance at the art exhibition at the Suter Art Gallery continues to be large, and last night during the exhibition of lantern slides there were as many present as could be comfortably accommodated. With the exception of a couple of slides from negatives Tby Mrs Renwick, shown by special request, Colonel Pitt and Mr Thos. Humphries furnished the views shown, and it is not too rnuob to say that the greater portion of these were really magnificent. Colonel Pitts views included a number from Westland, the Southern Sounds, Auckland, Dunedin, etc., and a few local scenes. It was evident that the camera had been used with great judgment amidst scenery most varied in character, but always beautiful, and the audience enjoyed a rare treat. The luxuriant bush and dainty lake scenery in the Westland views, and the splendid pictures from the Sounds were heartily applauded. The scenery depicted by Mr Humphries' slides was in great part in contrast to that shown by Colonel Pitt, the stern grandeur of the southern fiords with snow clad towering heights giving place to the softer beauties of Lake Waikare-Moana, views of geysers, and some beautiful cave scenes, secured by means of the magnesium flashlight. Mr Humphries also showed bush scenery in Taranaki, Moari portraits, and one or two Nelson views, and this section of the exhibition was not less enjoyed than the first.

The special exhibition organised for the purpose ef marking the opening of the Bishop Suter Memorial Art Gallery has now closed, and there is reason for regret in the fact that the very large number of interesting exhibits which are not included in the number that are to permanently adorn the walls, are no longer open for inspection. By more than one observer competent to express an opinion, it has been'averred that the collection of Photographs contributed by the Camera Clubs of Nelson Auckland, Wellington, Hawkes Bay and Dunedin proved the finest that has been got together in New Zealand up to this time.

The contributions of the outside camera clubs scarcely contain a bad picture, most of the work being well above the average in merit, and a considerable portion of quite superlative excellence. The club, next to the Nelson Club, contributing the largest number of exhibits is the Wellington Camera Club, and the secretary of the club, Mr Heginbotham, has not less than twenty photos exhibited. Mast of these are carbon prints, and among the number of exquisite pictures he shows may be mentioned " On the Sands," "Behind the Windy Town," " The Bivers Ford," " End of an Autumn Day," and " Sibyl," the latter an enlarged portrait. Mr Frank J. Denton also exhibits some splendid work. " The Road through the Valley" is a picture that gained the first prize at the Wellington Intercolonial Exhibition, and a bronze medal at the India Exhibition of 1890, and it goes without saying that it has been greatly admired here. "Winters' Dawn is Grey," by the same artist, is a beautiful little picture. Mr Watson shows a lot of work, forming some of the best in the room. The etudy "A Fisherman's Head," is a splendid portrait, and among other work from the same camera which commanded attention was " Declining Day,"" Going to the Sheep Fair," and " The Fisherman's Tale." Mr I Gifford is to the fore front in varieus departments. Some fineportraits claim attention, and three flower studies show some excellent taste and vary fine work. A group of horses " The Anti Bot Fly Association," and a seascape " The Toiling Surges Laden with Seaweed," are two good pictures. Mr Pringle also shows some beautiful work. "Atiamuri," with group of horses in the foreground, is one of the most admired pictures in the exhibition, and the marine j study "An Early Start,' one of the best of its class. This picture gained the silver medal at Dunedin for marine subjects. Mr Joyoe has ft good portrait in "Baron Mullwo," and his " Tranquility " is a very choice bit of landscape work. Other smaller contributors from Wellington are Mrs J. P. Firth, Msssrs Barltrop, Mclntyre, Tegetmeier, E. G Lowe, Keedwell, Mandel, Spackman, Dawson and Salomon, who all exhibit something worthy of- inspection. The Auckland Club, too, sends down some splendid work. Mr Arthur has several fine pictures, among which the mountain and bush scene, " The Evening Comes and Clothes the Hills with Poetry," calls for special mention, for subject and treatment are alike excellent. Mr Walrond, who formerly resided in Nelson, is one of the most successful among the exhibitors, "The Silence of the Sea," " On the Gold Coast," and " Point Chevalier " all being fine pictures, Mr Leedham, with "A Misty Morning," has scoured splendid sky effects, and several of his piotures call forth admiration. Mr Trenworth has a number of snap-shots, and these are little gems without a doubt. Mr Wright's best work is " A Misty Morning "; Mr Walker has three nice little pictures, and Mr A. F. Whittington a number, of which " Early Morning " is the most striking. Mr Coomer also exhibits one or two small views. The Hawke's Bay Club is represented by three exhibitors, among whom Mr Shanley is in the leading place. His'" Interior of Exeter Cathedral " is a splendid photo, and a dainty view is "By the Canal." Mr Beswick shows some good marine studies and Maori subjects, and Mr Charlton some fine interiorl of English homes. Coming to the Dunedin Club exhibits we find that our Southern friends are not behind in their ability to produce artistic work. ' Mr Kerr contributes some interesting views of various parti of New Zealand ; Mr Thomson has a good picture in the " Derelict" ; Mr Williams has several fair portraits, and two good piotures in " The Gentle Craft," and " Evening of the Voyage" } Mr J. Skottowe Webb (Secretary of the Club) has a fine interior of Seacliff Asylum, Ms sole exhibit; Mr Chisholmin "Bull Creek," ana "The Mouth of Bull Creek," has a good river scene and seascape respectively. Mr A. J. Barth's set of four are little gems, and " Evansdale," a river-side scene, is not excelled in all the exhibition for delicacy. Mr R. A. Ewing has a fine marine study in " Anchored," and MrCriohton has interesting views of ship-

building yards in Tasmania, The best o • a Mr Richardson's is " An Autumn Evening,". an exceedingly pleasing picture. Mr Ziele shews four beautiful bits of lake scenery, and Mr T: Ross' single .exhibit, " A Drifting Race," a rriarine subject, though last for mention is not least in point of merit. This concludes the list of outside exhibitors, but we must also refer fdither td the Nelson artists with the dflrHefa. Taking the screens bap-hazard we come first to Miss Sybil Hunter-Browns set of pictures. Miss Hunter-Brown. gives ample evidence of a visit to the wonderland of the North, and though evidently not an experenced photographer, has secured some interesting pictures, including several Maori portraits. Master Andrew defenders, one of the ydunger members, exhibits some creditable snapshots, and a couple of enlargements from his own negatives, executed by Mr Brusewitz. Mrs Renwick has a considerable number of pictures, including bush scenery in Aniseed Valley, views in the Awatere and Blenheim districts, some interesting subjects from station life on the " Dumgree " sheep station, and views taken of the local Volunteer parade at the Diamond Jubilee proceedings. Mrs (Alice) Brusewitz has a fine collection of subjects. Her portraiture, child studies, cloud studies, and toned bromide enlargements all merit praise. " Daga," a head study," " Cloud Effects " Nelson harbor, and " a Sudden Shower on Wellington Wharf " may be speoially men • tioned. Mr H. Brusewitz is one of the largest exhibitors, and has an all-round range of work. Specially fine specimens are the following enlargements : •• A Head Study," " The Wood Carver " (a well-known clergyman), " A Bush SceneV'and "Banquet Scene from the Taming of the Shrdw." Miss Stoddart shows four views only, of the Rai Valley and Pelorus scenery, but these are extremely jjood, and next year a much more extensive list of subjects will be looked for from this lady. Messrs Redworth and Hamilton have one of the most extensive collections in the exhibition, bat unfortunately have not named their exhibits. These artists have gone in for an all-round class of work, and on the walls have some very fine enlargements, prominent among these being some really good views taken in the Maitai Valley and studies of breaking waves taken at the Maori Pa A number of good portraits are included in^their list, and a few comic pictures. Two enlargements (from negatives by Mr H. 'Kidson) of the interior of Table Land (Mount Arthur) Caves attract attention, and " Among the Daises " is a pretty subject, Some cloud studies and interiors about complete a very fine lot of photographs. Mr H V. Gully has* not a great many pictures, but they are a splendid selection, and exceedingly artistic. " Reflections," " Making the Entrance," "Cloud Studies," "The Rocks Road," &c, make a very even lot, and are considered by those competent to judge about the best examples present of the different tones t«be obtained by means of platinum. Mr FTTj. Gibbs has some grand mountain and lake scenery shown, including views on the Arthur river, lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa, falls on the Karamea, Mt Mackay (St Arnauxl range), etc.. making up a very interesting collection of fine views. Mrs Blackett has -a considerable number of nice snap-shot views, and a series of half-a-dozen snap-shots of a yacht call for special mention. Mr A. J. Glasgow has some nice little exhibits, "Haymaking," and flower studies calling for special mention. He has a.so some very good marine subjects and fine enlargement of English setters. Miss Jo. Pitt does not show much of her work^ but what is shown is very promising, We may mention the views taken at the Hutt, Cable Bay, etc., Mr W. J. Penney has three or four enlargements of which Croixr'les Harbor is very good. Mr C. J. Deck has some charming bits of bush scenery taken near Hokitika and in the Wairoa Gorge. Mr Frank Washbourn has two or three exhibits only, the most prominent being an enlargement from his negative (by Mr Bruzewitz) of Mt Mackay, which forms a very good picture. Mr Thomas Humphries has a small but cho'ce selection and his picture of Mt Egmont would be very hard to excel and must be one of the very best views of this mountain ever obtained. The bush and fern studies are also very good, and a copy of an engraving has the peculiarity that it is hardly distinguishable from a true engraving. Three of the crack photographers of the Club have yet to be mentioned: Messrs Patterson, Fell, and Colonel Pitt. Mr Patterson .as a result of his trip to England is able to show a number of pictures of English scenery that make a pleasing variation from the many New Zealand bush scenes. One of the best of these is " Where the Cuckoo Flewers Grow," and other woodland views from Epping Forest, Kentish cottages, etc., are most picturesque and muoh admired. Two studies of children are exceedingly good, also a glimpse of the Alps from the Mt Cenis railway. Colonel Pitt is another exhibitor well represented in number and no less prominent by the quality of his work. Among a splendid lot of landscape views must be mentioned, "White Winter at Blenheim," a very beautiful enlargement, a wave study from Cable Bay, " Northland j Bay," Lake Kanieri, « Waiting," views of Milford Sound, Buller rim, eto., forming a splendid collection illustrative of New Zealand scenery. Colonel Pitt has also several enlarged portrait studies, good pictures and faithful portraits. Mr Fell, as usual, has a great variety of subjects. Taking the landscapes first, the series of tiews from the Quartz Ranges, Collingwood, and the Boulder Lake, in the same locality, are a very fine lot of pictures and very interesting a 3 they introduce us to country not often seen. Eight coast scenes of spots extending from Westport to Kekerangu, form a charming and splendidly executed series. Ihe outdoor studies of children in which •" Di" and " Betty" are the central figures are pleasing pictures. Then we have a number of interiors and figure studies and some comic subjects all of which attract attention and give no little amusement. " Christmas at Fairfield ' is a splendid picture of the kind. In portraiture this artist has always excelled, and he shows some good specimens of his work in this direction. " Floreat Australia" being most noticeable. Mr Fell has taken the lead of his club colleagues in experimenting with gum and and bi ch> ornate of potash, as a medium and sensitising agent, by which means the effect of brush-work may be obtained, but the results have not been equally successful. The work in oils exhibited by the members of the Bishopdale Sketching Club could not, under the circumstances, be displayed to advantage, and because of this much creditable work has been overlooked, save when the exhibits have been separately examined. This exhibition having taken the place of the usual annual show, specimens of the work of eaoh of the members found place on the wall, and a considerable proportion of the pictures shown came from beginners. There was not sufficient space to allow the pictures being shown mounted, and the wall, almost from floor to ceiling, was covered with tht sketches. The consequence, inevitable, was that there was a great difficulty in securing harmonious arrangements, the too vivid coloring of some of the pictures making the unenviable task of those who undertook the work, of arrangement muoh more difficult. The exhibitors showing not only the most work, but the best, were Miss Nina Jones, Mrs Topliss, Miss C. Sdd and Mr Nicholson. Miss Jones must fairly be given pride of place, her seascapes, to our mind, being the best work among the I sketches. Some studies of Eowhai flowers were very faithfully painted, and showed artistic arrangement. Mrs Topliss, in this exhibition, scarcely does herself credit, and we have seen, better work from her brush. A landscape from near Stoke, and view of Nelson harbor, are the most pleasing of her exhibits. Miss Sadd excels in her flower studies, but a landscape from near Wakefield is good, and. muoh. superior to her other exhibits of this class, Mr Nicholson has a great number of pictures, showing varying degrees of quality, but a sketch with the waves breaking on rooks at Cable Bay, and a view of Nelson from the Wakapuaka road deserve a good deal of commendation, the latter especially being a pretty little picture. Miss Barnicoat's flower studies are her best work, but a little landscape from near Riohmond may also be mentioned. Mrs W. Oldham, is the sole exhibitor in watercolors, with three landscapes. Miss Talbot shows several Bmall pictures, the best being a country lane. Miss Tomlinson has several flower studies, and Miss Hubbard 1 a couple of small landscapes. Miss Cookeli

•and Miss Cameron each has one picture only, and like Misa Cowl«s and Miss Rentoul are included among the beginners. Misa Sunley has a nice panel of red dahlias, and Misa E. Harris has a couple of paintings representing the New Zealand fantail, bush robin, and wild clematis, and, needless to say, very faithful representations are given. Mr F. Y. Hnapp brings the list to a cl se, having several sketches, of which the best is a sea-shore scene. On the next occasion on which the Club holds an exhibition, it is not likely to labor under the disadvantages which had to be contended against on this occasion. On Saturday afternoon aad evening there were large attendances. The exhibition of lantern slides in the evening was m?st entertaining. Mrs Benwick had a fine lot of slides of the New Zealand bash scenery, and Colonel Pitt had a few which he had omitted to produce on the previous evening. The greater portion, however; were supplied by Mr Patterson, and these in themselves formed a good entertainment, views being included of the places visited by Mr Patterson en route to England by way of the Suez Canal, a fine collection of English views, a serial of Jubilee procession pictures taken by Mr Patterson himself, ets. At the close Mr Fell, as one of the trustees of the Gallery, thanked the Bishopdale Sketching Club and various camera clubs for their assistance, and as President of the Camera Club mentioned especially the great amount of work done by Mr Patterson, the secretary. We would hero mention that Mr E. W. Christmas, an artist from Australia, having spsnt some time in Nelson, in kindly recollection of his visit, painted a picture ! especially for the Suter Art Gallery, and we are sorfy it was not hdng at the opening of the Gallery, but it will no doubt be on view shortly, as well as ft large number of oßgravings, photographs, etc., that were given by the late Bishop and Mrs Suter, and also the sketches by Hon J. C. Richmond, which are at present in the Museum.