Sculptor Wins Art Travel Award

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30976, 4 February 1966, Page 17

Sculptor Wins Art Travel Award

A Christchurch sculptor (Mr T. J. Taylor) is the first recipient of the Canterbury Society of Arts’ Guthrey Travel Award, which each year will enable a Canterbury artist to study the work of Australian artists.

The president of the Canterbury Society of Arts (Mr S. E. Mair), said the selection panel had had a ! particularly difficult task in I making the award, as the six were of a very high order of attainment Mr Mair said the society was particularly grateful to Mr Guthrey for his assistance, without which it would not have been possible to make the award which covers the cost of the artist's air travel to and within Australia.

Mr Taylor, who is a lecturer at the University of ■ Canterbury’s School of Fine Arts, is chiefly interested in the field of architectural sculpture. During his Australian tour he hopes to see as much of the work of contemporary Australian architural sculptors as possible. “Although I am very honoured at being chosen for the award, the thing which is most encouraging is that this [award comes from a member of the community.” Mr Taylor said last evening.' “The fact that this, is a local prize devoted to a'local artist is a tremendous stimulus. It is an indication of the increasing awareness of the community as far as art is conI cerned.”

Mr Taylor said that the! greater amount of work available to the sculptor interest-; ed in architecture in Austra-i lia meant that he was able; to develop his own ideas more easily. “Every artist is dependents to a large extent on the. money his work can earn for! him,” he said. “Here in New Zealand it is very difficult for an artist to develop his own style. There is just not enough work. A sculptor is forced to adapt his style to the style of the architect with whom he is working—and thia means that ha must pro-

duce too many faces for a genuine artist.” Mr Taylor said the 20-20 group, a number of young artists who combined in exhibitions in the last few years, had proved a tremendous help to the development of his work. “The association which 1 have enjoyed with these young artists has proved a tremendous stimulus to me,” he said. “They have produced some very exciting work.”

Mr Taylor said he hoped the coming trip would not only broaden his horizon as a sculptor, but deepen his understanding as a teacher. “I am grateful for the experience I anticipate.” he said.

Garden Competition.—Between 60 and 70 entries are expected by the Christchurch | Beautifying Association for its : garden competitions, which I will be judged on Monday. (The gardens will be judged according to their view from the street. The judges are Messrs J. Watling, R. A. Proctor, J. Thompson, A. Morgan, S. Challenger and D. Riach. Messrs J. A. Martin and F. Broadhurst will act as associate judges.