ART IN THE DOMINION

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1931, Page 5

ART IN THE DOMINION

LORD BLEDISLOE’S SPEECH. , WELLINGTON, September 26. Speaking at, the New v Zealand Academy of Erne Arts exhibition, ■ the Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe), rsferring to the formation of an incorporated Institute of New Zealand Art Societies and the intentio-n to establish an annual art scholarship, said: ; v . “This will,tend to bring, atxmt a national objective in art the eventual outcome of which may be the development of a distinctive school or type of New Zealand ,art,: recognised as such throughout the world, and as being of conspicuous merit.” , Emphasising the need for the closest relationship between Nature and art on the one hand, and science and art on the other, ’, his Excellency said Nature had been peculiarly prodigal of her bounteous gifts in this relatively small country, hut to-day the people of this ; favoured land—at least those who plied .pencil and /paintbrush —seemed relatively blind to the’ scenic treasures of mountain, river, lake, fjord, native bush, and thermal fountain, which con. stituted in a marked degree the wealth or their heritage. / It should be remembered, he continued, that art properly interpreted could be displayed not only in the production of good, pictures, sculpure, architecture, and handicraft, but also [in such mundane occupations as | ing a straight furrow, shearing a sheep, j making a cheese, grading and packing fruit, designing a dress, planning a ! street or delivering a speech in Par- ! liament. . • '