MORE FREQUENT SHOWINGS OF ART WORKS FAVOURED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20280, 14 April 1934, Page 8

MORE FREQUENT SHOWINGS OF ART WORKS FAVOURED .

Proposal to Hold Exhibition of Loan Pictures Owned Here also Endorsed ,

Endorsement of the suggestion of more frequent art exhibitions contained in a leading article in the “Star” on Monday, “Salesmanship in Art,” was expressed by artists and others interested in painting. The opinion was supported that there 'is room for a greater number of small salons of selected works, particularly in relation to one-man shows. Artists were also in agreement with the “Star’s” emphasis on the interest and educative value of an exhibition of loan pictures owned privately in Christchurch and the surrounding districts, particularly from any collector who might import outstanding works by a living British or foreign artist.

“ J THINK the more exhibitions the merrier because, after all, they stimulate interest.” said Mr Sydney Thompson, who recently returned to Christchurch after a long absence painting abroad. “ The trouble,” he added, “ is whether we have sufficient artists to give“ more than two or three exhibitions a year, as most of the painters here are usually teaching. I would not say it is possible to hold more shows. I hope it is. and if so I am quite prepared to support any movement of that sort. Of course, exhibitions by single men do a lot of good—l will be giving one in a few months’ time—and it is certainly a good idea to endeavour to get up a loan collection. The time required for preparation is a difficulty, as, personally, I find it takes several years to get together a really good showing. Furthermore, the question of finance when holding a number of exhibitions might prove troublesome, although the expenses would be kept down for individual artists in the. case of group shows.” Mr Thompson declared that he was naturally in favour of anything that would help art, and approved of the suggestion for more frequent exhibitions. He considered that one of the troubles faced by art in the past had been the lack of opportunity, the only outlet having been provided by the annual exhibition of the Canterbury Society of Arts, which had done a lot of good for art and, he felt sure, would continue to do so. It was hard to know what to do to stimulate art, but it certainly seemed that the exhibition idea was a good one if the painters could become interested, for the more artists who could show their works the better it was for art. One-man Shows the Best. “ The more exhibitions you have the better it is. Artists think it a wonderful idea.” declared Mr A. E. Baxter, whose works are now on view in Christchurch. “ I think the idea of one-man shows is the best and it is my intention to have shows as frequently as possible, once a year if it can be done. ' iere is certainly room for more exhibitions, which could be held in the Armagh Street art gallery when the collections are large, or in the case of oneman shows, in the smaller dealers’ galleries. Unfortunately, however, most of the artists are occupied in teaching and really the only time they have for painting is during the holidays, and even then it takes them all their time to prepare a number of pictures for exhibition at the annual shows in the four main centres. In the case of one-man shows the preparation period would depend on the time at the artist’s disposal and on what he would be prepared to show.” It might be possible to arrange group collections, in which case the Armagh Street gallery could be used, and there eighty works, ten from perhaps eight artists, would make a good show. The cost would not be very great and, as for rent, the Canterbury Society of Arts would probably make things as easy as possible. There was no doubt, he said, in conclusion, that really great interest was created by one-man shows, but the great difficulty would be to keep things going considering the number of artists available and the limited time at their disposal. Dr Lester’s Views. Dr G. M. L. Lester, president of the Canterbury Society of Arts, said that he

had read the “ Star ” leader w-ith interest, and while he was in full agreement with the idea underlying the article, as far as he could understand it, in fairnecs to the society he washed to point out that a rather misleading account was given of the opportunities of seeing and judging pictures during the year which were afforded by the society. No year passed without the art gallery being used for four or five excellent exhibitions either of individual artists or groups of artists. Apart from that the society had staged a very interesting exhibition of old furniture and craftsmanship not long ago. The gallery w’as always at the disposal of any reputable artist who wished to display hi? pictures both for the benefit of the public and of his own pocket. Having raid that he would like to add that he thought the *“ Star’s ” suggestion of a loan exhibition of pictures held in Christchurch and the neighbourhood, of which he understood there were many, was an excellent cne, and he would bring the matter at some future time before his council. With regard to the loan collection now travelling through New 7 Zealand, Dr Lester said he would not go into the reasons which made it impossible for the Canterbury society to run it this year, but if it should develop into a practical scheme for regular loan exhibitions of pictures from European galleries on a strictly non-commercial basis he felt sure the Canterbury Society of Arts would do everything in its power to forward the idea. Art Society Criticised. Mr H. Fisher, of the Christchurch firm of art dealers, stated that generally speaking the Canterbury Society of Arts had not functioned as such a society should, but provided an annual exhibition which developed into a selling shop. His conception of an art society was of a body that would hold exhibitions far more frequently than at present and would see that lectures were given tw r o or three times a week by picked men qualified to speak on such matters, who could point out to the public what to look for in pictures and to impart proper appreciation of artists’ works. The education of the public in art had been sadly neglected, and there was certainly scope for lectures of an elementary character, from which sales would naturally follow. He felt sure members of the public would be glad to have points in pictures explained to them, as was shown by the popularity of the lectures given two or three times a day during the season in London museums and art galleries. He was strongly in favour of more exhibitions. which could either be held in the Armagh Street gallery, sponsored by the different societies, or in the private galleries of dealers, some of whom had for years done their best to encourage the appreciation of good pictures. The number of contributions from artists would depend on the size of the works and the gallery used, but the cost of such shows would be very light. The main point, however, was the need for the education of people in art right from their school days, for when they were young and visited shows the whole value was lost if points in the works were not explained during such inspections. A Christchurch dealer remarked that from the success of several one-man shows that had been held in his gallery there was ample evidence that the people were interested in exhibitions and were willing to purchase good pictures if given the opportunity.