ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 15, 12 October 1918, Page 9

ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

NOTES ON THE EXHIBITS

i THE WATERrCOLOTJRS.

(By "The Lay Figure.")

The Selection Committee has erred, perhaps, a little on the side of good nature, but on the whole the watorcolour section this year is a remarkably good show. As usual the figure subjects are few and far between, and also as usual too much dependence is placed upon daring colour effects to cover up weak draughtsmanship. Much of the work is, however, full of fine promise for the future.

Mr. C. N. Worsley's exhibits, seven in number, vary greatly in quality. He is certainly at his best this year in 208, "Showeisv Weather, Sussex," in ■which there is a fine atmosphere, and evidence of tho artist's gifted insight into aerial perspective. Next to this I would place 209, "Yorkshire Uplands," which depicts a scene well known to "The Lay Figure" in hs vonth. The rocks in the foreground are exceedingly well painted. "Diamond Lake, Paradise," No. 204, is also a pleasing drawing. Mr. Worsley s xemaining pictures are drawn from that seemingly inexhaustible fount, his Italian sketch books. Tho always sound and agreeable work of Mr. Menzies Gibb is exemplified in Nos. 223 to 227. The host of the five pictures is No. 225, "The Southern Alps from Cashmere Hills," in which there is a fine combination of pictorial precision and delightful freshness. "The Lagoon, N.5.W.," No. 224, has.a luminous delicacy of colour, a general spontaneity, which are most engaging. Mr. Gibb appears to have broadened and strengthened his technical methods by his Australian trip, and the result is some exceptionally agreeable and satisfying work. Another well-known Chnstchurch artist, Miss M. 0. Stoddart, is voll represented this year. Her "Old Orchard," 301 (which should surely have been hung on the line, but which, for some extraordinary reason, has been "skied'.'), is a delicately beautiful production, and the flower picture just below, ''Winter Roses," No. 300, proves that in her own special genre, flower painting, Miss Stoddart is still easily first amongst New Zealand's artists. In tho landscapes I would vote for 296,. "Autumn, North Canterbury," but the "Turn of the Tide," 298, will doubtless have many admirers. ■ Tour soldier artists, Messrs. A. F. Nicoll, S.S.A., Gunner W. K. Johnson, Nugent Welch, and R. 'MurrayFuller, all contribute interesting work. Mr. Nicoll's Cairene scene is an attractive bit of Oriental scenery, although it is scarcely up to the high standard set~by the artist" in similar drawings shown at tho sketch exhibition. I do not car© so much for the low-toned "Fife Hills," but there is a fino vitality and buoyancy of feeling in tho little sketch of autumn in tho Highlands, No. 313, "A Wooded Upland."

Gunner Johnson contributes several sketches mado in tho Flanders war zone. There is some nico colour in his drawing of the ruined church at Noxivo Eglise, 306, and a vividly dramatic interest in the sketch of British aeroplanes bringing down one of tho onoray's observation balloons. Mr. Welch's drawings are slight, but interesting, pictorial memoranda of places and things seen at the front, all dono with a simplo directness and delightful freshness. The small landscape, 317. "A Scene in France," is a charming littlo work. Mr. Murray-Ful-ler's "Houplines Church, Near Armentiercs," 320, is another effective war skotch. The same artist has a tolling littlo sketch of "Table Mountain, Capotown," 199.

Mr. H. Linley Richardson, R.B.A.j contributes, in 255, "Little Alan," a wholly delightful study of cliildlife, which shows a most folicitous. rendering of youthful vivacity and grace. In his soascapo, No. 328, "A Summer Sea," the artist givos us a boldly conceived, vigorously paintod study. Perhaps the colour is too strong, but, alas, "The Lay Figure" has hut tho layman's eyes, as to the deficiencies of which consult any artist I Mr. Richardson's third contribution to this section is a lithograph in four colours, 262, "A Wet Night," in which strong gas light is shown penetrating the murkiness of a "dirty" night. An excellent bit of work.

Mr. Bowring's three drawings prove that this versatile artist is just as much at home in landscape as in portraiture, and can employ either oils or water-colour with equally successful effect. Tho gradations of green in "Afternoon at Trentham," 326, with its group of bathers disporting themselves in the Hutt River, are very delicately expressed, and where 1 the light breaks through it is full of life and richly phrased. Of the other pictures I prefer No. 327, "Autumn Morning, Hutt River," a charming little transcrip from nature. Miss D. K. Richmond sends a group of interesting studies on the water side, and returns, in 330, to a vein she has left unworked for some time, to wit, flower : painting. Her treatment of a mass of ranunoulas shows a decided freedom and decisiveness of touch.

Two other lady artists, whose work is always popular with local, art-lovers, are Mrs. E. R. K. Robison, and Miss Violeit Nelson. The former contributes a large drawing, in coloured chalk, of a diminiutive "Columbine" chalk, of a diminutive "Columbine" two studies of babies, replete, as is usual with this artist's work, with great delicacy and charm. Miss Nelson sends some studies cf children,, mostly dancers, also a larger study of a lady's head, a very delightful drawing—"Sylvia," No. 323. Most of Miss Nelson's.drawings possess a sne decorative quality. "The Revellers" (258) is a specially effectivo and successful picture.

Mr. Fred. Sedgwiok's two marines— "Pahautanui Beach" (293) and mata Beaches" (294)— deserve a word or two of praise. In each this artist again shows that general advance so conspicuous in his work hi the oil section

Mrß. M. E. Tripe scores heavily with her study of a recumbent female figure, No. 321, "Tho Favourite." The pose is admirable, the drawing impeccable, and the colour touches are iirm and effective It is good to know that through the generosity of Mr. Booth, of Carterton, this excellent little picture 'has been secured for the permanent collection.' In 321, "Meniones," the drawing of the hand leaves something to bo desired, but the poise of the head is delightfully graceful. Another local lady artist, Miss Flora Scales, has a slight but vivacious littlo sketch, "Morning on tho Beaoh." It is a crisp, vigorous littlo drawing, but the face in one of tho figures is very crudely suggested. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly, of Christchuroh, both contribute good work in this section. Mrs. Kelly's sketches cf girls' heads, notably No. 341, "The Turban," have been deservedly admired by visitors to the exhibition, and her landscapes, especially "Tho Margin of the Lake" (443), give evidence of coi\r sciontious plein air work. Mr. C. F. Kelly is specially successful in his raarino study, 347, "The Ebbing Tido, - ' in which there is a strong personal note of innate delicacy. Our Australian friends are scarcely so well represented in this section as in-the oils. Tho voteran'Sydney artist, Mr. Lister Lister, must rank first with his two beautiful landscapes. In "A Hazy Day. Stanwell Park" (217) he shows a mastory of the true gradations and values of light. Incidentally this drawing is: notable for its successful treatment of a difficult per-

spective. The low-toned "Nurrabeen Lagoon" (228) has an austere beauty which is most fascinating. Mr. TV. M. Whitney's "Morning Light" (214) and "A Hazy Day" (220) represent inlets on the shores of Sydney Harbour. Mr. Whitney may seem to New Zealanders who do not know Sydney to have, been a littlo too generous in his use of strong purple. But loth theso sketches aro decidedly pleasing? There is a certain excess of white in Signor Datillo Rubbo's powerfullydrawn figure study, ''A Puff" (213). and Mr.. Watkins's "Street Scene" (219) is rather,tepid in interest. In a fourth'and concluding article I hopo to deal with others of the watercolours, and devote some attention to the sculpture, loan works, and other features of the exhibition. YESTERDAY'S ATTENDANCE. The bright spring weather of yesterday brought many visitors to the gallery and a considerable increase in the attendance was recorded. Further sales of pictures havo been effected, and additional names added to the.academy's steadily increasing membership. Commencing from this evening a series of talks on art will be given by men whose names are already familiar to the public. ' At 9 o'clock this ovening Mr. Elsdpn Best, tho expert authority ai:d writer on the gentle Maori and his arts and crafts, will set the ball rolling with a fifteen minutes' address on "The Ear latioii of Decorative Art to Utility in Maori Artifacts," and during .next week Messrs; A. F. Nicolly S.S.A., J. EDis, J. K. Lomas, and Chas. Wilson will give other talks on the relation of art to life. That these short and crisp addresses are likely to increase interest in the academy and its annual exhibition may bo taken for granted. "Mnltum in Parvo" is the motto to be applied to a 15-minutes' address, and coming as they will, at the close of the day, visitors to the gallery will have* the opportunity of viewing tho pictures first and having a rest while the addresses are being delivered. The gallery will bo.open today from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., and this evening from 7 to 9 o'clock.' Those electing to become members receive ten ono shilling tickets in the art -union. Tickets and catalogues may be obtained at the entrance.