ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 288, 30 August 1920, Page 4

ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

ANNUAL REPORT. The thirtieth annual report of tho New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts states that during the year 03 subscribing members awl 20 artist members Here added tn the roll. The year closed with live life, 39G subscribing, and 111 artist members on the register. Deep regret is expressed at the loss by death of one life member (Mr. C. B. McTison), eight subscribing members, viz.: Messrs. W. J. Birch, John Duncan, Jas. Mackintosh, C. I?, Smith, P. Still, G. B. Bullock, D. Stewart, and Mrs. M'Eldowney; and one artist member, Mr. E. G. Hood. Tlie late Mr. Hood, a valued member of tho council, was, at the time of 'his death, taking his place amongst the leading landscape painters of New Zealand. The late Mr. J. Duncan, shortly before his death, presented to the academy a fine water colour drawing cf Pangbourne A\'oods by IT. Tebbitt.

The annual exhibition was in all. respects a pvonouncccl success. Not only was the quality of the work shown well ui) to the standard of any previous year, but the attendance, was most encouraging and the sales highly satisfactory. The number of works sold was S7, of a total value of «£GIO !)s. Od,

At a sketch exhibition held in May the total value, of sketches sold, JIIM Ills., constituted a reccrd. During tl(u year Hie council approached the National War Memorial Committee and urged that the Dominion Gallery should be erected as the national memorial, Tlio committee, through its chairman (Sir James, Allen), replied that it could not adopt the proposal. Such a decision, the council considers, is greatly to be deplored, (is they are convinced that no form of memorial yet suggested would be a more fitting tribute V- the valour and 6eK-sacrifico of our soldiers or a more glorious symbol of the civilisation for which they'fought and fell. It sincereljr hoped that the Memorial Committee may see, its way to reconsider its adverse decision. The following have been added to the permanent collection of the academy:"Beryl," bv Ilarlcy Griffiths (purchased by ,the academy); "An Idyll," by W. A. Bowring (purchased by the academy); "Birch Trees," 'by E. G. Hood (purchased by the academy); original drawin", by R. Cleaver (purchased by the academy); "The Favourite," by M. E. Tripe (presented by Mr, W. H. Booth); drawing (lithograph), by Mnirhead Bone (presented by Air. Will B. -Mathescn; "St Christina {has relief), bv Genrgo Frampton, R.A., and "Wellington Harbour," by J. M. Nairn (bequeathed by the late Dr. W. Kington Fvffe). The sum of ,£GO 15s. was subscribed by members of the academy to supplement the funds required for the purchase of the three first-named works. ' The thanks of the academy and of this public generally are due to the donors of works and to those who subscribed to the Picture Fund for their generous and public-spirited action. Thanks are expressed to the trustees of the late T. G. Macnrthy for a. further grant of JilOO, and to the City Council for its annual grant of .I'M. The academy has also benefited by a bequest of =£IIW under the will of the late W. S. T.eid, who was one cf the foundation members of the institution. The amount is to bo expended upon the purchase, of works of nrt for the academy's permanent collection A donation of .£5 by the president (Mr Weston) and a gold medal presented bv Mr. Leslie Brabin, as prizes for tlio students' competition, are gratefully acknowledged. , „ The club's studio was destroyed by fire towards the end of the year, and its members are now in search of a home, lliey lmve since been temporarily accommodated in the side room ci the Art Gallery which has been recently renovated, and'is now well lighted for such a purpose. The director of the IcehniMl tole»e Mr. J. H. Howell, kindly placed a school studio for some weeks at the disposal cf the lady members of the club. The 'statement of rj-counts and balancesheet show a greatly improved financial position. Although the sum of approximntelv JJIZO has been expended on tie work 'of renovation and repairs to tins gallerv, tho liability to the bank has been 'discharged, and there is a sum o monev in hand for tlio acquisition of works of art for the gallery.