SPIRIT CONTROL CLAIMED

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1930, Page 7

SPIRIT CONTROL CLAIMED

AGED WOMAN’S DRAWINGS. Christchurch, May 2. What is claimed to be a case of spirit control, similar to that which inspired the artistic work of Mr. W. H. Atkinson, recently reported from London, is advanced by a resident of Linwood, Mrs. M. Chapman, who is 74 years of age. According to Mrs. Chapman, the pictures which she produces are drawn by her hand while. it is under the control of the spirit of Hyrziel, whom she believes to have been a Persian. An extensive range of pictures, mostly of considerable size, cleverly drawn

and sometimes highly coloured, bear testimony to the delicacy and surety of touch that created them, but Mrs. Chapman says she cannot draw. She has never studied art, when when her hand is “controlled” pictures of graceful contour and charming colour are evolved. They are carried out in pencil and crayon. . In the selection of crayons, as in the shaping of designs, Mrs. Chapman says she has no part. Her hand goes blindly to the box containing the crayons, and. the desired colour is picked up. The designs are , practically all Oriental in character. Mrs. Chapman, says she does not know what it is she is drawing, nor has she the. slightest,knowledge of the significance ,of . the symbols that are often incorporated-