SKETCH EXHIBITION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 203, 22 May 1920, Page 8

SKETCH EXHIBITION

PRIVATE VIEW LAST EVENING

The annual etetoh exhibition of tho New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts was opened to , members only last evening, and on all sides could be heard comment which indicated not only the pleasure viistors were being accorded by the display of very gwd work, but the sensible improvement which is shown generally on last year's exhibition, especially in Tespect to the artistic endeavour of local artists. Miss Flora Scales, Mr. ■Nugent Welch, Mr. Bender, mid 'Mr. E. S. Killick may bo selected as a quartet of artists who 'have progressed along tho happy road, and much of their, work is really of a very high standard! Other members of the academy were gild to see tho Hanging Committee exercise siich discretion in placing the sketches of those artists where they can be appreciated. No one could come away from the exhibition without some very pleasant impressions oli the sketches of Messrs. H. M. Goro, J. Menzies Gibb, P. Sedgwick, J. Ellis, amd J. F. Nicol, which should find ready, appreciation. Indeed, several of the sketches—when seen only by artificial light, which is not by any means a, fair colour test—liave already been "spotted" by shrewd first-nighters. The exhibition was opened by the vicepresident (Mr. Joseph Ellis), who apologised for tho absence of tho president (Mr.: T, Sliailor Weston), who was away in the Far East, and also the Mayoress (Mrs. JDuko), who was unwell, lie announced that under the terms of the will off the lato Dr. Kington Fyffe the academy had been bequeathed a- very beautfiful has relief (in plaster of Paris, with a wax finish), of St. Christina, bv Geo. Frampton, and a fine painting of Wellington by the lalo Mr. J. Ml Nairn, and; had been loaned a. painting of a gentleman, attributed to Itaeburn, and a copy of Raphael's Madonna (of tho armchair). The council had to thank Messrs. Bender, Heginbotha.ni, Welch, and Tiller for the disposition of the pietores, and the secretary (Mr. H. M. u.orc) for assembling them. Most of those present were interested •in art, with the result that a very happy 6ocial atmosphere was created, which meant a pleasant evening for all concerned. The exhibition will lw open to the public this afternoon and evening, and throughout next week.