SHEER ART

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19998, 15 November 1927, Page 8

SHEER ART

FINISHED HANDIWORK TECHNICAL COLLEGE DISPLAY Amateurs of arts and crafts will be keenly interested in the splendid display of handiwork exhibited in the Assembly Hall of the Wanganui Technical College this week. The work, which has been carried out under the direction of the instructors indicates a high stand-ami of craftsmanship, and those who visited the College yesterday were loud in their praises of the various exhibits. The art section is the largest and most notable, and chief among the examples of work here are those carried out by Mr Vincent Evans, A.R.C.A., himself- Mr Evans has showed himself a portrait painter of merit, and his casts of Mr I. E. Newton, M.A., principal of the College, and the late Mr J. T. Ward, are splendid examples of this branch of art.

In opening the exhibition, Mrs Newton said* the fact that so many were present showed their interest in the student’s work. Not only were there exhibited sketches and paintings, but also furniture and pewter ware, and in the needle work section there were wonderful examples of personal attire made by the first year students.

The furniture, much of it artistically carved, makes a strong appeal to those who love beautiful things about them, and the work in beaten copper and pewter is some of the finest ever exhibited in Wanganui. The engineering students have a fine array of chisels, vyces, bricklayers’ trowels, hammers, and l many other mechanical ana scientific instruments, all turned and finished as if they hacr been made by master craftsmen.

The instructors in the various classes are:—Art, Mr Vincent Evans, A.R.C.A., (London); needlework, Miss M- Wallace; engineering, Mr A. G. Tomkies; furniture and metal work, Mr S- A. Cross.

A few of the art students arc worthy of mention:— Constance Collins shows all round ability, a sound training and considerable talent. Her drawings reach a high standard and her water-colours are admirably executed. Hilda Greagor is represented by a number of skilfully executed paintings from still life. The painting of the Sarjeant Gallery is particularly pleasing. Mrs Morrison (Ingelby Nixon) has a number of excellent drawings whica are worthy of attention. Audrey Fantham has a number of delightful water-colour paintings of flowers and simple groups. Mrs Cox is well represented and shows great facility in grouping and brush-work. These works have considerable decorative value.

Catherine Conder, a promising modeller, has a number of good pieces, particularly the head from life and the tulip design. Miss Nicholls has a number of excellent drawings of animals, binds, and pen illustrations. The design of tho crest for the New Zealand Optometrist Society is praiseworthy. Miss Mason is not represented at her best, but the two works shown prove her capability.

Mrs McGregor has a few happy and interesting water-colour paintings. The younger students, namely, Leon Missen, Nancy Breen, Tari Bailey, C. Cornish and S. Cave show promise of good work. Miss Murray’s work in the metal section shows remarkable technique and finish.