ACADEMY of fine arts

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 173, 18 April 1921, Page 7

ACADEMY of fine arts

ANNUAL SKETCH EXHIBITION ■,

NOTES ON THE EXHIBITS

(By "'fhe Lay Figure.’’)

The number of exhibits at the AcoSomy’s sketch show this year constitutes, I believe, a record, being very much larger than al any previous exhibition iu Wellington. Also, so it is satisfactory to note, thpre is a general and moat ■marked improvement in quality. Crude and weak work is not without representation. but on the whole there is convincing evidence of all-round conscientious study and careful work. A few well-known artists are not represented, notably Mr. Linley Richardson, R.8.A., and Mr. H. M. Goi'e, and there is not much work from Christchurch and Auckland. Nevertheless, we have never had a better all-round show.

A quite notable and very attractive feature of the exhibition is the collection of beautiful water-colour drawings of' Indian. scenes by Mr. Mannings. They display excellent draughtsmanship, and a masterly grasp of tho pro Hem of light and shade, and are, moreover, sot down with a most engaging freshness and vigour. Close by (lent by Mr. Mannings) is a largo and beautiful pencil drawing of an Indian street scene, executed by a relative away back tn the Victorian fifties. '

One always ex pools some attractive water-colour work from Mt. Nugent Welch, who this year sends two at least specially good i)ti, draughtsmanship, dainty in colour—yet ” with out any suspicion of that curious effeminacy which nt one time seemed to be (trooping into this artist’s work—delightfully subtle in their recording of various phases of atmosphere. Thceo are “Bridge nt Silverstrenm,” in which there ie» Home sensitive, well-controlled handling, and "Farm at Sil verstream.”

Mr. Welch’s London street seem—a well-known Bloomsbury thoroughfare—cleverly suggests the charming' haze effects of nightfall in the Big Smoke, and a very attractive sketch is a seascape' (hung, by the way, far too low down). One can almost hear the north-weetfer /whistling. A capital little bit of work this.

Near Mr. Welch's contributions are a couple of sketches by Mr. M’Cormack, whoso work, last year was so promising. The small seascajie, hung high up. is in every way satisfying. Mr. C. JI. Howarth’s sketches at St. Ives are excellent examples of this artist's pleasant, companionable art. He also sends a peculiarly attractive seascape, “Boats at Lyme Regis/’ and his “Mount Sefton" is another admirable sketch, the frank directness of touch in the setting down of the colour being most commendable. Miss D. K. Richmond’s two harbour scenes, notably the “Misty Morning, will be much admired. The effect of vibration, on. the atmosphere of tbasd drawings is quite fascinating. An interior in the Dutch style, with a welldrawn figure, and a charming study of “Tulips" should also not be overlooked. Close to Mass Richmond’s contribution are a number of sketches in the Like Taupo district by a Napier artist, -Mrs. Beatrice Harvey. Mrs. Harvey has been attracted! by the beauty of Jbe wild flowers of the region, and her drawings, though all a trifle hard, are most 'intorteHliug. A study of briar ■ berries, and a view of the mountains across the lake are specially worthy of attention. Mrs. E. 'K< Bobieeon s delightfully humorous studies of some Chinese children well known to Wellingtonians who frequent Lambton Quay, deservedly attract attention. The artist has rarely been so happy as in The Procession, ■ where a proud “little mother pushes a pram, accompanied by three or four straight-haired, almond-eyed little dote. ■ The study of a Chinese mother and baby, a pencil drawing with a little wiwhed-in colour, is genuinely artisCio in spirit and treatment. A tiny study of a child, in a quiet Kate Greenaway costume, is alto a most attractive composition. Were I asked which exhibit in the whole show displayed the most intensity of true artistic feeling I should vote, without hesitation, for Mre. Manoy s (Minna Arndt) low-toned pastel study ot two female figures. Herein, if my judgment bo worth anything, is a .drawing which would well hold its own with ths best European work. The large study of a woman, "The Quiet Hour,” is also a strikingly fine piece of worn. Some smaller pastel' drawings all display grant delicacy in tho handling of colour and a sensitive feling for atmosphere. V special word of praise is also due to the marked advance shown in Mr. Heginbotham’s work, mostly the result of land- , scape study in a- South Island district. In more than one of these sketches, notably in two tree studies, the artist lias been, specially successful in suggesting the penetration of light through foliage. His “By-path” would be his best picture but for the excessive solidity of the pathway. “Via the Drive" and "Waitati are both excellent. ,' If Mr. M. King would but make his backgrounds really recede his work, 90 vigorous in handling, so robust in technique generally, and so pleasant in colour, would be greatly improved. All his work at this show is most interesting, ami has been greatly admired. I like best his “Yachting at Seatoun, ’ with its nicely modelled foreground and the fine buoyancy in the water. A aloud effect by the same artist is quite dramatic. Good work all through, but for the one drawback above mentioned Mr. Bender’s work this year exhibits a quite striking advance. I cannot say l admire his largest picture, in which the background wants putting n good deal further back, and tho shipping scene, Brangwynesque in treatment, wants “pulling together" a bit. But his Yorx Boy" in a study of willow trees, and, alxive all, in the two small sketches, one a. marine study, the other .1 study in which tho central interest is a Corot-like tree, he has never given us better, more truly artistic work. Mr. Bender’s picfares wore the subject of much commendatory i-alk at the private view.

The fine promise of Mr. Murray Fullers work last year is, partially at least, fulfilled by two excellent. drawings, “Summer’’ and another whose title I have forgotten to note. These are well balanced compositions, bearing the impress of a commendable artistic sincerity in their treatment. Tho two harmonics in purplish haze by tho same artist will make successful appeal to an eye which delights in colour, but Ibero is a certain lack of that vibration Tieces«o.ry to imbue atmosphere with

vitality. On the north wn.ll is some very promising work hy Miss Gwynneth Richardson. “tn a Txmdon Bark,” with its well drawn, cleverly grouped child figures. is cleverly compowxl, and both the "Salisbury Plain” ami the group of small sketches in and around Southampton show evidences of special Capacity ■for topographical work. A. small pendrawing by tho same artist has also considerwble merit. Dr FeP’s work is exceptionally interesting. Both in the "Credilon Churoh” and a small landscape, similar in style, close by. he displays an emotional control of broad effects. In the "Credilon" the restrained richness of the foreground affords an effective contrast to tho freedom of the oerial effects. n study of trees and a grimly picturesque nea«cap» a destroyer forging through stormy water on a murky day, are also very ’interesting contributions. Mr Esmond Atkinson's always strongly personal point of view and originality Ju technique ore reflected in snumborof tones of mountain nm"ver m the National Bark region. H s River Above kc A rapuni Gorge” is his J" suc ?""; ful contribution. Some of the other ketches seem to me to bo unduly cold in colour..

Mr. E. A. Killick contributes a number of oil paintings, mainly, but not ell, of his favourite Silverstream. I prefer his "Neglected Pastures" and ,1 twilight scene in which there is some nice composition. ’[’he "Pool" is also a very meritorious production. There is not a more 'Conscientious “trier” in tho Academy’s membership than Mr. Killick, and his painstaking study is now beginning to bear good fruit.

A number of sketches at Rotorua and in the Hot Lakes district generally are contributed by the Hon. Mrs. K. Airini Vane. They are a trifle too strident iu colour for my fancy, but display no small ability in figure drawing and composition. A little sketch of Mentone from Monte Carlo has nil excellent perspective. It only wants a little more atmosphere to be a quite admirable sketch.

Another lady artist represented on tho western wall is Miss Dobie, who sends a. number of rigorously painted oil sketches of scenes in the Ruapehu district. They are all too "hot” in colour for my fancy, suggesting a too monotonous use of vermilion and burnt amber. Nature is surely not always in such violent mood as here represented. In striking contrast to Miss Dobie’s excessive "bravura" is th* restful, truly artistic charm of two pictures by Mr. G. Ellis, with whose fine work in plastic art wo have become so pleasantly familiar. In both these paintings, "Maori Bank, Upper Hutt," and “Heretaunga" the draughtsmanship is sound —training in modelling has, as. I have often contended, a distinct value for a painter of landscape—and there is a sensitive, quite poetic feeling. Mr. Ellis will, wo must all hope, continue his excursion Into u 1 branch of (art with which, up till now, his name has not been prominently associated. The oil sketch os by that painstaking young artist, Mr. W. Carter, exhibit as usual evidence of a rich and poetic imagination. "Through the Night,’* with its keynote of deepest blue, is a study of Maori war canoes. "Sunset .and Storm” has its good points, but the artist’s executive ability scarcely meets the demands of so ambitious a subject as "The Cloud.” Mr. J. W. Haley, a newcomer, I think, sends two dramatically effective London nocturnes. In the "Piccadilly Circus” the glare of the electric lights is well suggested and the figures are cleverly placed. Tho "’Trafalgar Square” scene is less sucoesafnl. Miss Betty Rhind’s "Mount Egraonl in a very attractive sketch, good in perspective and very pleasant in colour; a "fairy" study by the same artist shows a dainty fancy and delicate handling. Mrs. j. D. Tripe is scarcely so well represented as usual One misses her always welcome figure work. Of her laiicL scape drawings I prefer “At Castlepoiut. Mr. Fred Sedgwick is nothing if not a conscientious student of Nature. Of his several sketches, varyiug much hi subject, I prefer his "Hutt River,” with ite well set down foreground' and delicacy in the handling of the bush, ami "Near Ohijjgaiti.” this latter an exceptionally good contribution, a true "sketch;’ Mr. W. Robert Johnson, an Aucklander, sends some interesting oil sketches, of which I like best a beautiful study ot waves breaking on a. lonely shore. Mr. M’Craeken, one of the Auckland artists who held such an interesting show here last year, sends several sketches, with most of which, to tell the truth, I am rather disappointed. Of Miss Jessie Evatt’s several,contributions, all true sketches, not, as are so many of the drawings and paintings in the exhibition, "finished" pictures. I. prefer "Kaie Bay,” with its quite dramah-Cally-placed trees to the left Mr. W. Gamham sends some interesting sketches at Lyall Bay and along the upper Rangitikei River. The former are the most successful. Mr. C. Hay Campbell, a Wanganui artist. sends some excellent pencil sketches and a pleasantly-coloured "inferior. Mr. Tiller’s marine studiep reflect his own conventions ill the painting of watei. He has a decided gift for effective composition, but tho handling is sometimes rather harsh. Mrs. Rosa SawtelJ’s pencil drawings (on one of the screens) are well worthy of inspection,, and an interesting group of humorous figure studies by Mr. Ross Gore, a son of the popular secretary of the Academy, show a command of line and a cleverness in suggesting varied attitude which are astonishing is so youthful a draughtsman. There are many other interesting contributions by various artists, but space limits prevent' detailed notice.