A NATIONAL GALLERY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 121, 15 February 1919, Page 9

A NATIONAL GALLERY

SUGGESTED PEACE MEMORIAL

THE QUESTION OF SITE

• A deputation representing the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, interviewed the Minister of Internal Aftairs (Hon; G. W. Eussell) yesterday to urge that a National Art Gallery should be established in Wellington .. as a peace memorial. ' The views of the Academy were stated by Messrs. W. H. Field, M.P., Mr. R. A. Wright, M.E., Mr. H'. F. von Haast, and Mr. H. M. Gore. The speakers pointed out that Parliament had already authorised the erection,of a National.Art Gallery, but the work had been postponed on account of the war. The Academy had made an extension of its present gallery in order to provido absolutely necessary accommodation, but there was still not adequate space for a national collection. The Academy suggested that the most suitable national peace memorial would be the erection in the capital city of a Dominion Art Gallery immediately on the declaration of peace. Such a memorial need not exclude the erection of local memorials. It. could be erected in the course of a of years, and at a reasonable cost, that would not be, a strain on the finances of the country. It could be subscribed to and supported by all classes, parties, and creeds. If situated upon a. commanding site, it would serve 'as a landmark, for visitors and could be made .the.centre and inspiring influence of a great town-planning scheme that would make the capital city worthy of the Dominion. It would be a standing memorial' not only of the valour of New Zealandcrs in war but of their determination .to take a foremost place in the arts of peace, also. It should be designed by a New Zealand architect, aftey an open competition, and thus be a product of 'New Zealand genius. The need for such a gallery was urgent if art in -New Zealand was to receive the encouragement and impetus that native talent justified. In the near future great works of art in painting and sculpture were sure to ba executed by the leading artists of Great Britain, and of the allied' countries, depicting and commemorating the gallant deeds of the allied soldiers, including the New Zealanders, and some of these works, would bo likely to como to New Zealand. There was already the nucleus of a national art collection in New Zealand, but no such thing as a national art gallery. The Science and Art Act provided that a Dominion Art Gallery should be established within the building, of the Dominion Museum, or in a building or buildings adjoining the Dominion Museum. The Academy strongly urged that it should be in a' building adjoining, or at any rato in a separate building with an identity and individuality of its own, as an expression of the art of the community. The Academy felt that si National Art Gallery to be worthy of its great occasion should have its own allotted area, and its own separate and distinctive entrance about winch there should be ample space for some symbolic group of statuary. ' The building should be so constructed as to be capable-of extension ns the years go on, and there should be ample 6paco reserved for such extension. Special features of the gallery should be a representative collection of the works of New Zealand artists irom- the foundation of the Do- . minion onwards and also a collection ni? or £r' a PPljed and industrial art. , 6 ¥. ln ;fer, in the course of his re. ply, said that the suggestion had been mado at an opportuno time. The war had caused tho postponement of the erecli'n'Lr! $ Art Gallery, which 'lie agreed ought to be placed in Wellinalon. Ono section of the Cabinet was in favour of placing the new Dominion Musffcm and Art Gallery on tho Museum a wi r'-i?. section', considered le „ bu ' ld iFS: s ought to go upon tho Mount Cook site, ihis difference of opinion was jv more serious obstacle to ■ progress than finance at the present time and an agreement was not in si"ht His °)jn opinion was that the Museum Street t ? e ,, more n ß ™tiWe, and he Ulieved that the Government ought If necessary, to purchase adjoining land in order to complete the big scheme. Tho Academy, might hasten a settlement wo. moting a strong public opinion on the question of site. He did not agree with a suggestion Aat tho Government should use for tho erection of a permanent memorial the money proposed to be grant, ed by way of subsidy on peace celebra,. tion expenditure. Ihe peonle would like tL™ P tv S . th ®jr flings adequately on lence Daj, and the Government was codies aSS ,he lm^llent of subsi-

R'. lssell . s «id be would like to see I the public assisting to provide the fund* required for the ■National Art GnR If the pub be subscribed, then those who i ©presented the subscribers should be entitled to a voice in the selection of a sits and a design. He would .recommend a Government subsidy of at least pound foi pound on public subscriptions, Ha suggesled that the city of Wellington, out of the revenues from endowments and public services, should assist the project. If this plan of financing were adopted, the Government could offer helii' on the same (tans to other ceutma. 1 hero was little national spirit on the subject of art. and it l,lip Government granted for a National Art, Gallery in Wellington, there would be claims lor grants from the other cities Jl this plan was followed Ca co-opera-tion o private municipal, and State ef. fort), he would recommend that the Art Gallery, should be distinct from tho Museum, favoured inviting competitive building designs in New Zealand Australia, and Great : 'l>itain, Finally) Mr. Russell urged lliat an organisation should be set up for the collection of contributions, not filly in Wellington, but other districts, for the establishment of a National Art Gallery on the broadest basis.