N.Z. ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 204, 24 May 1920, Page 6

N.Z. ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

SKETCH EXHIBITION

NOTES ON THE EXHIBITS

(By the "Lay Figure.")

In the number of exhibits this year's sketch exhibition surely establishes a (record. The large main hall of the g&llery is not only well-filled, but fairly crowded with pictures and drawings. But quantity is not always accompanied by quality, and it is an open question whether in future the should not exercise its powers of selection and eiclusion more liberally. The policy of "encouraging" young artists by giving their work "a show" is all very well in its way, but, save as an' example of "how not to do it," the hanging of mere pictorial futilities is to be deprecated. There'are quite a number of sketches hers shown which come under the Kokoian category of things "That never would be missed." Once again let me echo oir Alfred East's dictum that "the finest colour will not atone for a / basis of weak drawing." Too many of' our young artists. as it is all too easy to see by certain exhibits this year, begin to paint beforo they have learnt to draw. Quito a number of the pictures and drawings are not sketches at all. but finished productions, framed as such, .if tha academy has any rules on tho point tliev must be singularly e.astic for to a large extent this is a "sketch exhibition onlv in(name. There should bo some definite rule as to mounts frames, and glazing, and these should be ii„idly adl-ered to. ... . Much honest, conscientious wwk is shown, but there is nn all-pervading desire to make a "pretty picture which is fcnrcelv in accord with the character of an exhibition of genuine slndiesj The excuse which may be permitted to professional artists yrho have their living to make by tho sale of their pictures. namely, that popular taste and potential, buyers must be considered, does not fairly apply to many exhibitors who. as nmateurs, am not depenrtent upon art as a profession, and it is from this latter ckss-the myonty of. tho exhibitors—that something more than the mere concoction -of the pretty pretty is fairly to be expected. Having voiced this mild grumbling, 1 proceed to what must necessarily be a very abbreviated criticism of some of the more notable exhibits. Miss .K'™' mond's fine drawings of scenes in the Mount Rimpehu region seem to me to. rightly claim preference of attention over anything m the Toonl. Here we get sincere, direct transcriptions from Nature. Topographical accuracy does not constitute successful landscape namting, but it is here accompanied by a freshness of treatment, rdignity, and a freedom from any peculiarities of personal stvle which are so ant to iptrude in the course of studio elaboration of open-air work, which all combine to make these drawings quite exceptionally attractive. In the studies tajon tt lower line-mainly of mountain streams -the touch is not so firm and defimto. but Miss Richmond has never giveni vw better work than her "Ruapchu Sunset and "Above the Bush, Ruapehu. That most, conscientious student of art in Nature, Mr. Fred. Sedgwick, is scarcelv so successful in his _ water-colours at this exhibition as in. his oils. The former seem a little thin and papery, but In three at least of his oils, and notably iin the.verv charming study of Aspern Poplars." there is a fine individuality of vision and treatment. Mr. Nicol. from whom we hnve learnt to expect so much, is rather disappointing in this show. His five sketches are almost commonplace alike in feeling and technique. In one, ' "Twilight," tho drawing of the boat leaves much to be desired. Mr. Nicol is at his best in his Bketch of a quarry with a stone-crusher at work, but even in this there is a marked lack of that personal note of distinction which one associates with this artist's work.

An old member of the Academy, Dr. Fell, shows, on the eastern wall, some exceptionally interesting work. It 6eems a pity that the Hanging Committee separated what is by far the best of the drawings from the others, for it is one of the best examples of true English water-colour art in the exhibition. This is "Dartmoor," a beautiful study in browns, with a cloud effect which is almost dramatic in its intensity. This auite excellent sketch reminds me of tho work of Murray Smith and A. AV. Rich. Dr. Fell also shows some vivacious bits of colour notes in his "Malta" and a Venetian scene.

Mr. J. Ellis, a vice-president of the Academy, and well known by the excellence of his work as a sculptor, makes an interesting new departure with a graceful composition, an oil sketch of a tree-lined road. There' is a certain,austere dignity in this work which is completely satisfying. Mr. Bender's work, always vigorous, courageous to the point of challenge in the strength of its colour, again arrests the visitor's attention.& He has been' a long time "finding himself." Even now his work displays evidence of being strongly affected by Mr. Nicol's methods, but it is none the worse for that. Most visitors to the show may show a preference for the gay little "Lyall Bav" eketcli. with its delightful colour, and its fine spontaneity of expression. But my vote would rather go to the nioro important, more dignified "Tararuas from Nircaha," in which this ever painstaking young artist appeai'3 to me to touch high-water mark. Another large sketch, "Near Masterton," which suggests memories of the late Mr. Hood's methods, is an effective 6tudy, but is a trifle overelaborated. . ; In Mr. Bowring's oil sketches—is. not ■one in tempera ?—there is a bravura which makes the pictures "carry well." Mr. Bowring's work has form; he has set down in colour what he has seen faithfully and honestly; here, least, can be no suspicion of mere picturemaking for drawing rooms. The broad gold strip, close up to the pictures was scarcely, however, a happy thought. It unnecessarily accentuates tbo natural strength of the work, and unless the sketches are viewed from a distance, invests them with a certain appearance of coarseness, almost brutality.

Mr. Nugent Welch's contribution cannot rightly bo considered sketches at all. In not one would, so I feol sure, the artist desiTe to elaborate or add to the original treatment. They arc all very pleasant, alike in composition and colour. "In tho Oronfforongo" and a lowtide study' on the Thames Estuary, "Leigh-on-Sands," are specially charming examples of Mr. Welch's refined and delicate art, but I liko bast of all a little study of boats on a beach, a simply effective bit of genuine watercolour, slight enough in motif but instinct with genuine artistic feeling, All Mr. Welch's work iB interesting, 'but I for one, amongst a host of admirers, cannot help wishing he may, at the annual exhibition, give us something more virilo something in the genre of that masterly drawing of trees and hillside which hangs in the watcrenlour section in the permanent collection of this Acadomy. '_ In threo of her ' contributions, Miss Flora Scales returns to tho harbour subjects she favoured last year, deserting for tho nonce her old-time choice of animal studies. In "Coaling" she gives a delightful little picture. The pearly greys of tho atnxliphere, the convincing suggestion of buoyancy in the water, and tho quite poetic character of tho treatment generally, makd this modest littlo study most fascinating, Of. the othor sketches, a littlo harbour study, quite Hilderlike in its treatment of the vessel at anchor, and a charming little pleih air study, "Gliding Stream," with its strong sunlight effects, should find many admirers. Amongst the many amateur memliers of tho Academy who this year exhibit work of excellent promise aro \Mr, and Mrs. Heginbotliam and Mr. Murray Fuller. Mr. Heginbotham's work shows more restraint than usual. The exeefsivp self-expression of some of tho large canvases of previous years lias now been replaced by an evident desire to "jievceivo clearly and record truthfully.'' His work this year displays the qualities of sincerity and simplicity. Success is not always achiovod, but in certain of the marine studies, and quito notably in "Twilight" and .tho moro ambitious study of trees on «. hillside, Mr. Hcginhotham's work shows a very real aq-

vance. Somo interesting sketches shown by 'Mrs. Heginbotham are full of promiso of sound and successful achievement later on.

Mr. Murray Fuller shows his fascinating little nocturnes,' "Tho Moonlit House," being si particularly attractive study of atmosphere. The dolieacy in the handling may suggest memories of tho'H.ilder Book, but in other sketches, not wholly successful, but of no small promise, Mr. Fuller proves that lie is not inclined to sacrifice vigour to any excessive "tenderness." Later on w« may expect some quite important work' from this evidently most conscientious younsr artist. A spccinl note of compliment is due. also to Miss Jessio Evaft's work this year. "Sandhills, Lyall Bay," is a fasc.inoting little skoteh, happy in its composition and agreeably gay in ; colour. Tho sea line in "Ward Island Picnic" Is rather hard, but the foreground and the placing of tho figures are excellent. Early Morning" is another sketch which poswsscs a decided quality of its own. Mr. 11. M. Gore,' the Academy's energetic secretary, is represented' by two sketches, one of which, a scene on thu Waikftflae River, is, 1 trust, tho forerunner of a larger canvas at tho next annual exhibition. The perspective is admirable the picture in this way affording a useful lesson to some of tho younger artists, whoso grasp of this great essential to successful landscape work is' too often very weak.

Mr. E. W. Killick's work evidently meets a popular taste, for no fewer than four out of his six had the agreeable little red eeal affixed befor the private view was over. He aims high and does not always, to employ a lisoful "colloquialism," pull it off. In "Tho Pool," for instance, lie just misses it, the weedy growth in tho water having <i "cakey" opacity. In th.' two monochromes, notably the lower one, which 6liows subtle gradations .of brown, there is u fine, romantic quality. The dccorative massing of the trees in the Wilton's Busn is also commendable. In both this and the riverside scene Mr. Killick wisely prefers the'value of massed effect as against the. excess of detail so often affected by artists when painting trees. On the northern or street end wall aro somo excellent sepia sketches by Miss Miunio Arndt, who also .waids some cleverly drawn figure _ studies. . Miss Hobieson's studies of children, and Miss Violet Nelson's dancers aro all well worthy of inspection, and a Napier contribution, a boy's head, by Beatrice. Harvey, should not bo overlooked. A newcoilier, who makes an excellent start this year, is M. King, whose work, hung ou tlio eastern is full of promise. "Tho Crane" is, in particular, a very successful study, although there is a noto of over-emphasis in the sunlight effect on the water. A "Lyall Bay" sccno from the same brush is well composed and painted with an alluring air of confidence and strength. Christchurch is mainly represented by Miss Stoddnrt and Mr. Menzies Gibbs. Outsido "The Apricot Tree," which follows tho acknowledged Stoddnrt convention in the handling of this class of subject, this artist's contributions nre scarcely up to her old standard. Mr. Menzies Gibb is characteristically placid and restful in his large marine study, and there is sound drawing and some pieasantlv restrained colour in his "Ashunrton Valley." Mr. _ Kelly sends a few sketches, none of which call for special notice. .

Miss .B. C. Dobio's three oil sketches are a little disappointing. In one, a sunset scene, a very courageous study, is marred by excessive -use of pigment in tho painting of the slcy. , "Wnikatui Hiver" shows a virile treatment of water and rocks, but with memories of "Tho fcinnros" and other work in my mind, I look .for something more distinctive and arresting from this artist than what w? get here. Spaoe limitations prevent detailed reference to other works, such as those of Mr. Vivian Smith, Mr. Tiller. Mr. Carter (who, as usual, sends soino clever imaginative work), Miss Newton, and mnny others.

Visitors to tho exhibition should not forget that an art union is being held in connection thorewith, and .hat for a modest sixpence they can secure tho chance of obtaining* a pleasant bit of colour for their rooms.