Art Exhibition

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 17, 15 October 1943, Page 4

Art Exhibition

Sir,— Primarily, the annual art show of the New Zealand' Academy of Fine Arts is for the exhibition of recentlyexecuted works of art by New Zealand artists; to display to the (best advantage works denoting progress made during the year; and to give students of. promise the opportunity to 'publicize their talent. Secondly, it provides an open, market, for the artists to dispose of their paintings in a pleasant and dignified manner, under the auspices of an established society with a background of tradition. On this latter account it may Ibe a matter of regret in some quarters that there are. so many paintings in this year’s exhibition which are catalogued “Not for sale.” Of the 236 pictorial exhibits displayed, 36 are so labelled. These occupy a good deal of the limited wall space in the temporary gallery, and, possibly, exclude the work of some artists who might have been prepared; to sell their work to..the public. On the other hand, however, it is conceivable that some of the “not for sales” were sold privately before the show, or were direct commissions, and it would stultify privilege to disallow their exhibition. Still, to some deserving professional artists who look to this market it must be a trifle galling to be shut out by so many “not for sales.” —I am, etc., dl-HN'BSE WHITE. Wellington, October 14.