MEMBERS RESIGN

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21419, 11 March 1935, Page 12

MEMBERS RESIGN

* — FRICTION IN SOCIETY OF ARTTSTS Friction between some of the foundation members and the remaining members of the New Zealand Society of Artists has led to a number of the former resigning, and it is probable that the "1933 Group," which formed the nucleus of the society on its formation two years ago. will form a .separate body, and hold their own exhibitions of paintings. Mr W. B. Honour, secretary to the New Zealand Society of Artists, stated on Saturday that only seven members of the old group had resigned, and they were merely a handful of the total membership, there being still 48 members, who would carry on the society. There were two main causes of friction, said Mr Honour. One was that certain members of the old group had wanted to regain control of the society. They wished to limit the membership, and they opposed the formation of branches in other centres. No agreement could be reached on this point. Second, it was contended, he said, that one or two members had been trying to use the society as a weapon against another society, or certain of its members, and that had been objected to also. The society had to follow the purpose for which it was formed, and could not be used for the furtherance of "political" objects within the art world, concluded Mr Honour. :