NOT APPRECIATED

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 281, 17 February 1928, Page 1

NOT APPRECIATED

NEW ZEALAND ARTISTS FORCED ABROAD MORE PUBLICITY WANTED A ple» for recognition of the New Zealander of talent was entered by Mr. W. Robert Johnson, en Auckland painter now successfully settled in Sydney, who together with Mrs. Grace Butler, of Christchurch, was a guest at a reception held last night in their honour. It was difficult to understand, said Mr. Johnson, why the New Zealand artist received such a lack of appreciation in his own country, and was lorced abroad to win recognition. He auggested that greater publicity generally should be given to matters concerning the wortd of art; there should not only be greater co-operation and mere social intercourse between the actual painters, but the help of the Press should at all times be invited. The excellent work of the Sketch Flub as a stimulating influence was commented upon by Mr. Johnson. The visiting painters were welcomed by Mr. A. S. Boyd, president ot the Society of Arts, whose guests they were. He was accompanied by Mrs. Boyd. Mr. W. Page Rowe, chairman of the Sketch Club, and Mr. R. Proctor also expressed the keen satisfaction ot Auckland artists at the success attained by their confreres. Both Mrs. Butler and Mr. Johnson cordially thanked their Auckland friends for their warm welcome. During the evening Mrs. Proctor sang, and Mrs. Phyllis Bloy contributed pianoforte solos. Those present included the secretary of the Society of Arts, Mr. W. J. Thomson, and the secretary of the Sketch Club, Miss Copeland.