Sculptor Replies To Coin Comment

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31005, 10 March 1966, Page 1

Sculptor Replies To Coin Comment

“J.H.E.5.,” who contributes articles to “The Press” under the heading “As I Hear . . .” does not appear to have even a nodding acquaintance with sculpture, says Mr F. A. Shurrock, designer of the first set of New Zealand decimal coins, in a statement to “The Press.”

“On page 7 of ‘The Press’ on Saturday, March 5, under the heading ‘As I Hear . . .

The Coins: A Word More’ there is an article by “J.H.E.S.” which warrants comment,” says Mr Shurrock. “This comment commences with 'The I’s have it,’ culled from the article—‘l shall not say ... I am much tickled

. . . I have not heard. . . . Not that I deprecate . . . 1 am tickled ... I am thrilled . . . I am thinking ... I thought the design ... I thought the mountains . . . 1 was shocked ... I am too late . . .’

“The nearest approach to a positive statement is the following sentence: ‘I was shocked bv the totem pole Rugby footballer.’

“The writer does not appear to have even a nodding acquaintance with sculpture and in consequence has never heard of the necessity to consider the question of potentiality when looking at, or designing sculpture. “The Greeks knew this, as did the medieval sculptors. So did Michelangelo; witness his ‘David.’ Is David shown in the act of throwing? No! He is the thrower. (Footballer, not footballing.)

“To have depicted David in action throwing the stone, the action would have dissipated the power. Admittedly it requires a greater effort of the imagination to understand the potential than would the vigorous action of throwing: that is the imagination of the onlooker. “On the screen or in the illustrated book the vigorous action is valid, for the action is resolved. Action in sculpture cannot be so satisfactorily resolved. The screen and the book provide the appropriate means for illustrating ‘doing.’ Sculpture at its best is most effective over long periods of time when it concentrates on the ‘doer’.’’