Art in Auckland

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 227, 14 December 1927, Page 6

Art in Auckland

WORK OF ELAM STUDENTS HIGHLY PRAISED BY PROFESSOR ROTHENSTEIN, PRINCIPAL OF ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART

“A VITAL INFLUENCE” “I do not think I have come across work from any colonial school with the promising character which exists in your students' work. “Indeed, it seems to me remarkable that a single school in a country without long traditions can produce such promising studies.” When such praise comes from a man of the standing of Professor William Rothensteiu, principal of the Royal College of Art at South Kensington, it is indeed encouraging. When conveying this opinion of work submitted to him by Mr. A. J. C. Fisher, A.R.C.A., director of the Elam School of Art, to the Auckland trustees, Professor Rothenstein says: “I hope that Mr. Fisher's work has been recognised by the authorities respSnsible. and now that he has the school in working order the output will grow in dignity, firmness and quality.” After carefully perusing the drawings from Auckland, the professor said he had been impressed with the talent, spirit and imagination shown in the work, and the vital influence Mr. Fisher was obviously exerting over the students.

“To take the drawings first, these showed marked intelligence and perception. As a personal opinion, 1 think that they need tightening up—more attention to the extremities such as heads, hands and feet on which they are working, is both logical and practical. IMAGINATIVE QUALITIES “We were also much impressed by many of the compositions which show really fine imaginative qualities. This always seems to me an imperfect part of the training of an artist where vision is not only an asset to himself but of great practical use to the community.” Professor Rothensteiu hoped that Mr. Fisher would continue to develop this side of his teaching, and the practice of making life studies with some definite compositional idea. What was really needed, he said, was a harder

or more precise classical practice, both in drawing, painting and composition. He also expressed the hope that the school was well equipped with good photographs of painters like Giotto, Mantegna. Piero Della Francesca. Raphael, Ingres, as well as the best drawings of Dzagas and some early Rosettis. Unfortunately, however, the school is not well equipped at all in this direction. To Mr. Fisher he wrote: "I have at once seen how vital your influence is over your students. It has been a great pleasure to me to witness what inspiring teaching means even in a new country and I hope the New Zealand authorities appreciate the work you are doing.” Professor Rothenstein studied at the Slade School under Legros, and in Paris. His “Jews in Mourning” is in the-Tate Gallery. Appointed professor

of Civic Art at Sheffield University in 1917 after painting war pictures in France, his appointment to the head of the Royal College of Art came three years later. He is recognised as one of the great art authorities of to-day. James Boswell, who left the Elam School three years ago to go Home, is now exhibiting with the London group and has received most encouraging notices from the critics. SeddQn McLaren, who went to South Kensington last year armed with 10 drawings, had the entrance examination waived—a most unusual procedure. Vivienne Kernoi. Hildegarde Dixon, Jocelyn Mays and S. W. Williams, all promising students, leave for England early in the New Year. The work submitted to Professor Rothenstein will be available to the public on Thursday. Space will not permit a review at this juncture.