MODERN BRITISH ART

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19640, 7 November 1933, Page 8

MODERN BRITISH ART

SKETCHES OF FAMOUS PAINTERS ADDRESS BY MRS MURRAY FULLER Interesting word pictures of famous modern British artists were given at yesterday’s luncheon of the Rotary Club, by Mrs Murray Fuller, of Wellington, who is visiting Timaru In connection with an exhibition of modern British art. Rotarian E. A. Killick presided. Mrs Fuller said that in past years the Royal Academy had held special exhibitions of the works of other countries, but last year’s exhibition had been devoted solely to British artists, and the result showed that there was no need to go out of Britain for inspiration so far as modern art was concerned. The Academy had always stood for soundness and quality and had always given the modern painter space on its walls in which to hang his works. No matter how modern or “wild” a painter was it was his aim to be elected as an associate and later a full member of the R.A. “British art remains as native as cricket and fox-hunting, and why should it be otherwise?” said Mrs Fuller. “In all countries it has been the importing of foreign ideas which has helped in the decadence of national art. Love of landscape painting has always filled the heart of the British painter, and such men as Gainsborough and Constable have given the world some of the loveliest landscapes which have ever been painted.” Mrs Fuller went on to say that there was much work being produced at the present time which w r as said to be based on science. Intellect supposedly played a large part in the ability to see and assimilate those works. Art was a record of an impression or an emotion, while science was the record of some fact. Had the older men worried about the scientific side of art, England would to-day be the poorer in her galleries. The records left by the earlier men were purely expressions of beauty felt sincerely and rendered truthfully. Sir William Orpen. Speaking of painters she had met both in their homes and their studios, Mrs Fuller first mentioned Sir William Orpen, whom she described as the greatest painter and draughtsman of our time. From tre time he came from his home in Ireland at the age of 13 years to study at the Slade School the sureness of his drawing and the power of his painting had astounded professors and students alike. He was a kindly, happy man with a genial nature, ready wit and quick perception. During the Great War as an official artist he had made many fine studies of the men in the trenches in which he showed his genius in perception of character. After the War he became one of the most sought after painters of portraits. Outstanding traits In his character w’ere a great love of children and flowers. Whenever he was returning to his studio he bought bunches of flowers, and at his death all the flower sellers and taxi-drivers whom he had known and befriended piled flowers and wreaths in his garden. Among the famous people who had been painted by Orpen were Lloyd George, Dame Madge Kendall and Professor Ray Lancaster. A very close companion of Sir William Orpen was Augustus John, for "whom drawing had a great fascination. “Flow and rhythm, every pause in his line has meaning,’ ’said Mrs Fuller. “Although he is so fond of drawing he owns up to finding painting difficult. A big man in every way, John has a great influence on painting of the present day. Alwyas kind and helpful to young painters, he has never been known to say a harsh thing about any other painter’s work. He is intensely interested in all humans and has spent much time with the Romany people, speaking their language. The Maoris have claimed his attention and during the great exhibition in London at White City, he met and painted some of the Maoris living at the Maori pa. He would like to come to New Zealand, but feels it is too far away.” Great Landscape Artist. Arnesby Brown was known as the greatest exponent of landscape painting in England to-day. His home was in East Anglia, where all the greatest landscape painters had lived and painted. He knew of New Zealand bv its footballers, a sport at which he was no mean exponent. Mrs Fuller said that had he not been a professional artist he would have been a professional footballer. He was an extra man for England in international matches one year. “Whenever water colour painting is spoken of the mind immediately conjures up the art of Russell Flint,” said Mrs Fuller. His studies of beaches gave the observer a feeling of great joy and beauty, but in recent years he had become engrossed in etching and drypoint work and had already made many plates which were of interest to Collectors. St. Malo was his favourite haunt, but Spain had recently claimed him, the variety and charm of the J architecture and the rhythm and beauty of the women at work interesti ing him greatly. The speaker then referred to Julius Olsson, who was known to most people for his painting of the sea. Olsson through his yachting and through many days spent at sea has come to know it in all its moods. He was a breezy and kindly man and one of the best yachtsmen in England. Harold Knight and his wife. Dame Laura Knight were next mentioned by Mrs Fuller, who said that Knight was undoubtedly influenced by the great ‘little Dutch painters.” and was known for his beautiful interiors and love of good furniture. Dame Laura worked a great deal with the circus people and, in 1930 lived at Blackpool with Camo’si circus for six months, painting and! drawing the life and movement of the ring. She was the greatest woman painter in England at the present time, and was the fourth woman to be elected an associate of the Royal Academy since its commencement. Speaking of New Zealand art. Mrs Fuller said the Dominion had had a good start from a cultural point of view. Van der Velden had settled in the south and James Nairn in Wellington, and those two had had a great influence on the work of young students. So far New Zealand had no school of her own but she was a little country and was so far away that it would be a long time before she achieved that New Zealand had produced many artists who had gone abroad and made names for themselves I but unfortunately they did not return On the motion of Rotarian P. W Rule. Mrs Fuller wa accorded a \ ote of thanks for her address.