Townswomen’s Guild Resumes Activities

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 21, 26 January 1937, Page 11

Townswomen’s Guild Resumes Activities

CHINA PAINTING PRESENTED AS FASCINATING HOBBY. Members of the Palmerston North Townswomen’s Guild met in pleasurable anticipation at the Empire Hall yesterday afternoon for the first meeting of the year in evidence of their eagerness to enter upon a new year’s activities. Mrs A. E. Mansford presided over a good attendance, and before the business of the meeting, conveyed greetings to those present for a happy and prosperous New Year. The decorations as carried out by members of the gardening circle, were particularly .charming. Ou the stage were large bowls and vases of hydrangeas in varying tones, deep rose being chosen for the president’s table, also agapanthus and gladioli with double gvpsophyla and dark foliage. The tea tables were brightened with pompom, charm and orchid dahlias also gladioli, the ladies’ responsible being Mesdames G. Lyne, D. Janies, W. S. Woodroofe, H. Vaughan, Misses G. Allen and L. Keats. Appreciation of the efforts of these members was conveyed by Mrs Man&ford. Sympathy was expressed with Mrs T. A. Bennett in her illness with good wishes for her speedy recovery. Mesdames D. C. Pryor and R. A. Fuller wrote in appreciation letters of sympathy in their recent indispositions. Lady Cynthia Colville, honorary president of the English National Union of Guilds, wrote from Government House, her sincere regret in being unable to accept the invitation for a special meeting she had received from the Palmerston North Townswomen’s Guild also her appreciation of the kindly greeting that had been conveyed to her on arrival in New Zealand—Mrs Mansford gave a brief report of the pleasurable meeting with Lady Cynthia in Palmerston North in company with several members of the guild, expressing regret that short notice had made it impossible to arrange a larger meeting. Mrs James presented a report of the Christmas party of the Wanganui Guild which had been arranged by tho members of their arts and crafts circle and thanks were conveyed to Mrs Janies also to Mrs W. G. Black, who had motored the party from Palmerston North. Circle leaders who intimated tho dates of the first meetings of tho various circles were as follow:—Mrs A. J. McNeilly (music); Mrs J. W. Davidson (arts and crafts); Mrs G. Lyne (gardening); Mrs J. Davidson (playreading); Miss M. Grant (civics). China Painting. Bringing the art of china painting or the decorating of china- to the notice of members as a fascinating hobby, Mrs Bowler Watson, who was introduced by the president, reminded her audience that it was also a very old craft. Much early history had been learned from decorations found on vessels which had been excavated from ancient tombs and buried cities and almost every design upon valuable Chinese porcelain had a special significance, the speaker said. One of the earliest homes of Greek art was the island of Crete. Sir Arthur Evans related that the Cretians used brilliant colours in their decorations, shades of red and yellow on lustrous black ground being much in evidence. The coldur scheme was evidently taken from a peculiar black stone found in Creto which was veined with Ted and white. During this period the decorators found rich sources of inspiration from tho sea, Seaweed, rocks, shells and curious crea- | tures being strewn over the smooth surface of the vase. In tho next period desigus were chiefly geometric. Even men and women when represented were geometrically drawn. But this crude worn was ultimately refined into the classical pottery and porcelain of Greece in which the human figure came to be of paramount importance. Wedgewood, the famous English potter, was enabled by the patronage of noblemen who possessed fine classic examples and who gladly lent them to the great potter, to copy some of the finest specimens of the old art of the Greeks. Many of his copies were done from originals loaned by Sir William Hamilton. What of the Present Day? It was very interesting to study the work of old masters and their development, but what of the present day? the speaker asked. There was a mistaken idea, she continued, held by some prominent art societies in New Zealand, that because the artist does not make tho china, but only paints and glazes it, china painting could not be classified as a work of art. Happily this charge could not be laid at tho door of the Manawatu Art Society, Mrs Watson said. Many old English, German and French firms had won prominence and lasting fame through the artists they had employed to decorate and coloii:

the moulded shapes. Associated with Sevres china was Watteau w T ho created a style of ware known as Sevres Watteau ware and many of the famous Attic vases, specimens of which were in the British museum, were signed by both potter and painter and Wedgewood owed much to Flaxman whose work was original, as in Minton the figure -work of M. L. Solon was a creation. Mrs Watson went on to speak of modern American china decorators and in New Zealand, she stated that Miss Olive Haine, of Auckland, was a pioneer. Opinions differed as to how decorative motifs and designs first came to be used, but each period had somo improved style or colour. The most conspicuous type of Egyptian art was the lotus, with petals of rich purple and heart of deep orange. Another prominent historic type was the scarabacus which was shown as a beetle holding a sun between its front feet and a small ball between its hind feet. It was emblematic of creation and birth. The predominating type used by the Indians was the knop and flower, while the pomegranate with its green buds was often found upon Chinese porcelain. Scope For Originality. New Zealand artists should concentrate upon the New Zealand flora for their design motif, Mrs Watson stressed. With such a wealth of untouched material to draw from there was no excuse for copied work. The decoration of a vase or any article depended upon the form of the vase itself the purpose being solely to improve the appearance of tho shape rather than the display of a decorative motif. Mrs Watson went on to speak of relief enamels which were used in a number of ways but could improve on spoil decorations according to their proper or improper application. The demonstrator had on view various articles in preparation for decoration and explained her intention, tho proper tools to use, the treatment of colour and design. She outlined the fundamental principles agreed upon by craftsmen and explained various methods of decorating china. She made reference to research work carried out in New Zealand towards utilising raw materials and in conclusion explained methods of firiug, stressing the fact that the kiln was an exacting mistress which would accept no slip-shod work. Delightful entertainment was provided by Mrs Findlay whose sweet voice was heard in two vocal numbers also by Miss Joyco Dinnisou who contributed clever elocutionary items. Mrs McNeilly accompanied Mrs Findlay. Thanks to the artists were conveyed by Mrs Spraggon who also voiced the appreciation of the members to Mrs Bowler Watson for her informative address. Visitors welcomed by the president included Mrs Winter (Masterton), *desdames Scott and McLean (Milton), Mrs M. Branford (Wanganui), Mrs Wakefield (Petone), Miss Balmer (Auckland), Miss Kenworthy (Patea), Mesdames Warren, Sullivan, H. Dixon, and Chalk, Misses V. Langford and J. Dinnison, all of Palmerston North. Members were reminded of the garden party to be held in aid of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Palmerston North Hospital, and the president announced that Mrs T. R. Moore ha-d very generously donated a gold bangle set with, diamonds and pearls for competition to raise funds for the guild stall. Tea hostesses were Mrs D. Evans, Mrs J. Davidson (conveners), Mesdames A. J. McNeilly, J. Galland, H. Gillott, R. Greig, Harrod, G. T. Harris, Misses G. A. Green and P. Gillott. Welcoming visitors and members at the door were Mesdames H. Palmer and R. D. Spraggon, and Mrs M. Aitchison acted as a wandering hostess.