ACADEMY OF ARTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1175, 10 July 1911, Page 6

ACADEMY OF ARTS.

WELLINGTON SKETCH EXHIBITION. The annual sketch exhibition of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts opened on Saturday at the Academy. Mr. 11. S. Wardell, president of thu Academy, officially declared the exhibition open. During the afternoon quite a number of tho general public puid the small admission fee and found in the display much to interest them. The works this year are fairly numerous, covering three walls of the Academy, i'or purposes of criticism it is ni'ciwsiiry to remember that the exhibition is entirely devoted to sketches; finished work is not expected. Some of the works are Iwiia lido sketches, but there can be degrees even in sketches, and a good many are considerably moru advanced than mere impression records or picture notes. This conies rather severely upon those who have only "rubbed in" a little scene for a particular effect. A quantity of the work is good, but some suggest a low standard of selection. A good deal is commonplace—tho mere depiction of some little corner of scenery without central object or concentration in effects, a flat colour photography without artistic appeal. Some of the work, however, morn or less meets tho demands of modern art; and some of it is undoubtedly good. Tho casual critic is inclined to scoff at sketches which aim at a particular effect, especially if the success of the effort is only moderately successful. But much better this endeavour as a step on the highway to a moving, powerful art than the "pretty" pleasing, pointless sketch of a nice little pieco of nature. Tho art of the decadent period was that of flat depiction. Mr. A. B. P. Micoll, an Auckland attist has three or four sketches in which effects are aimed at, and with considerable success, though ho deals mostly in sombre effects. Ono of his best, sketches -his arc sketches pure and simple—is tho Limn .Kiln,' a lonely pile of buildings in the middle distance. Broad «k----fqcts aro aimed at. The foreground and tlio lar distance are well subordinated, ami concentration on tho main object i.' strong The composition is also good. If better hung, Mr. Nicoll's largest picnire; Moonriso .at Sea," would appear a . niier effort than it does at present. In liis Fislung-boats" he aims at waterelteots with pure colours, which he does not quite get; still, it is.a good attempt; i.lr. jVrel Barraiid (water colour) is tho best colour artist in the exhibition. His Paekakariki sketch—a scene that has long been waiting to be painted—is extremely fine in its colouring, and drawing, ami atmosphere. This is one of the most pleasing water-colour sketches in tho exhibition, though tho sky is weak. Alongside it is another pretty English scene—a subject for a fine enlargement, the same artist has a number of other tasteful subjects. '■ Of quite different style is the work of his brother, Mr. IV. l>. Barraud. The latter goes for effects, pure and simplenature caught in certain moods. Viewed from tliis standpoint, his "Warm Pools" is decidedly good—for a sketch. There is warmth in the typical New Zealand sky, and in the line of pools. Mr. Linley Richardson, R.8.A., has a miscellaneous assortment, and some excellent material in it. There is really fine expression in tho face of his Maori girl; and his "Pickwick Cottage" is a neat little sketch well worthy of particular notice. Mr. Richardson's brusliwork is good, and his" colours are clean. Impressionistic effects aro obtained in "Lighting-up Time," a street scene on a wet evening. This, indeed, is a really clever little thing. Mr. Richardson undoubtedly knows what to aim at, and consequently exhibits strength. His sketch of a baby is good work of another description.' Mr. K. Tristrora aims at effects and must be congratulated on his success. One delightful little sketch is a typical New Zealand paddock-scene, good.because it makes one instinctively remember such places; A female figure forms the' central object, and characteristic stump and thistle bush are there, but subdued.. His' Silverstream scene is another ■ piece of gcod work. Mr. K. Hood is another artist whose work is good. He paints thinly, except where strong effects are needed,'and he gets his effects. He also chooses typical subjects without too much detail. His work bears comparison with anything in the exhibition. Miss Kiinbell deals with varying success in bright colours. She exhibits considerable talent in some things. Her best effort is a "A Lazy Day," showing two cows in a paddock. Mr. Welsh has some sandhill 'scenes and seascape sketches in water-colour, which are carefully nnd faithfully, portrayed, but do not represent his best work. Miss D. K. Richardson has- work of a decorative character, rather than impressionistic. A study 'of the head of a pug dog;.,by-Miss Ethel Gyles is worth, notice;.arid so' is Mrs. Btirge's work, although the latter just missus the effects she'aims at. Mr. Gore has four careful sea studies, but they lack distinction. Mr. Killick's "Evening at Waiwetu" is his best effort. Tho pick of Mrs. Malcolm Boss's many sketches are the two depicting New, Forest scenes. Mr. W. Leslie has not. done himself justice in the subjects of his threo sketches. Mn H. Sodjwick's work might be good, but it is (oo carelessly prepared to look effective. Miss A. Paul has some faithfully painted wall, flowers and jonquils, and deserves encouragement.. Ono study of Mr. H. H. Rayward, depicting Tain effects, shows promise. There are other exhibitors, but full detailed reference is impossible.