Artists’ Corner

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 363, 25 May 1928, Page 14

Artists’ Corner

AUCKLAND ART SOCIETY SETS MUCH HIGHER STANDARD FOR ANNUAL SHOW: MORE THAN 150 REJECTS OUT OF 500 PICTURES COURAGEOUS SELECTORS There are bound to be many heart-burnings when exhibitors, or rather would-be exhibitors, for next week’s Society of Arts annual show realise just how many rejections there were. AUT of a total of 500 pictures, no fewer than 150 have been rejected< This year’s selection committee has shown unusual courage. It is not a popular thing to do. Yet if the standard of the Auckland exhibition is to be raised—and no one will suggest for a moment that this is unnecessary—it was the only course to adopt. The selection committee really had no alternative. Even so, after the most casual saunter through the rooms in which the pictures will be displayed at the Dilworth Buildings, incidentally in far more cheery surroundings than in the depressing old gallery, it is apparent that greater discrimination could have been used. There will be works on the walls which should not be exhibited in an exhibition in a city of the importance of Auckland. There will probably be resentment, too, particularly on the part of unsuccessful exhibitors, when the contributions of Frances Hodgkins are seen. These pictures should provide material for a first-class controversy. Likewise will they lend themselves admirably to caricature. They represent a school practically unknown in Auckland, and that, unless I am very much mistaken, is all the more reason why the appeal of this painter will be misunderstood. But a little controversy will do no harm. On the other hand, it may be productive of much good. Better—infinitely better—than blank apathy or smug satisfaction. Auckland has to take its art seriously if this city is to play the part it should in the Dominion’s artistic development. Much interest naturally centres in next week’s exhibition. That the standard is higher will be generally conceded. * The selectors this year have done the society a real service. DEPARTING PAINTER Although Auckland’s art fraternity will welcome the appointment of Mr. Robert Proctor to the important post of senior art instructor at the Melbourne Technical School, they will regret his departure exceedingly. For the past 10 years he has been a member of the council of the Auckland Society, and has identified himself closely with the art life of the city. Robert Proctor came to New Zealand as a boy. His early art education was obtained at the Canterbury School at Christchurch, and he subse-

quently studied at Antwerp and at the famous academy of Julian in Paris. Travel through Holland, Belgium, France, and Italy provided him with unique facilities for observing the work of the different schools. Eleven years ago Mr. Proctor came to Auckland as an instructor at the Elam School. Later he lectured on art for the W.E.A., and eventually accepted the art lectureship at the School of Architecture, Auckland University College. Robert Proctor is represented in the four principal New Zealand galleries. The Auckland gallery has five of his works. It is pleasing to note that his farewell show in Auckland was very successful. Mrs. Proctor, who has also been a constant exhibitor at the Auckland exhibitions, will be much missed, and particularly in connection with the social activities of the Art Society and its musical interests. Born at Christchurch, Mrs. Proctor likewise studied at the Canterbury school. NEW COUNCIL MEMBER The appointment of Mr. Gerald Jones, the well-known architect and amateur photographer, to the council of the society is welcome news.

Though Mr. Jones was not precisely appointed to the vacancy that followed the resignation of Mr. Page Rowe, it was the departure of the latter that enabled Mr. Jones to take a seat on the council. With a little reshuffling of the representatives of the different interests that constitute the board, following Mr. Page Rowe’s resignation, it was possible to appoint Mr. Jones. Born in Wellington in 1880, Mr. Jones was educated at Fort Street Model School, Sydney. He was elected F.R.1.8.A. in 1919, but his fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain came in 1912. A frequent exhibitor at the photographic salons abroad, Mr. Jones approaches Mother Nature through the sensitive lens of his camera. He has shown himself an artist in every sense with the medium to which he has devoted many years of study. There is a possibility that Mr. Page Rowe, now on his way to England, will not have to resign his membership of the Maori Arts Board after all. There is much to be said for the advantage of having a permanent member residing in England. It is quite possible that legislative sanction will be sought for him to retain his seat on the board. Australian painters figured prominently in this year’s Royal Academy Exhibition. Both W. B. Mclnnes and George Lambert, A.R.A., were on the line. Others exhibiting included Norman Lloyd, I. M. Cohan, Arthur Burgess, James Quinn, Hilda RixNicholas, Septimus Power, and Sir Bertram Mackennal. ERIC RAMSDEN. POETS’ CORNER. SHADOWS. [Written for The Snn.l When the night drifts, close-pressed against the river, When the blurred moen and yellow lamplight gleam, There are deep shadows, tenebrous, that quiver, Vague and recurring, like a nightlong dieam; And through the night they move, and blur, and waver, While the warm moon seeks deep with fitful gleam, Searching in vain which darkling shade to favour — Shades that are like a tree, or trees a dream. And when the thin wind, crying down the river, Worries the water with its sharp unrest, There are slim shadows, tenuous, that shiver, Shifting upon the river’s shaking breast. All these thin branches, free, and set aquiver, Under the steady lamplight move and sigh; Their slim sweet shadows net the light-chained river, Where the keen wind goes thin and sharply by. So that the mouth that sang the summer’s blurring Now cries aloud at beauty that is pain, And the young heart, with ecstasy recurring, Beats up against the Unite once again. ISHBEL VEITCH. Aramoho. VESTAL. {Written for The Sun.] The sunset was a Hock of red birds Hying. All the bold wings are quenched in sudden grey; Each daffodil, a lamp of fitful colour. Watches the faint stars blossoming spray by spray. Down in the garden of the broken fountains The yellow marble cups a falling tune, And one white peacock sweeps disdainful beauty Before the ice-blue mirror of the moon Unmoved she leans against the broken fountain — So still, her maidens see a statue there; But the wind knows the stirring of her bosom And knows-the little perfumes in her hair. Wo brown god watches by the shadowy altar Of incense-trees on purple-vestured hill With lover’s eyes; but half-remem-bering rushes Are passionate with whispered music still; And two white hands, like ghostly moonbeam poppies, Stretch forth the silence of a pagan's prayer To all the silver necromancer birch trees With the wild starlight tangled in their hair. ROBIN HYDE. BOOKS IN DEMAND AT THE AUCKLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY FICTION “THE AGE OF REASON,” by Sir Philip Gibbs. “THE RED VEIL” by Henry St. John Cooper. “TO THE LIGHTHOUSE,” by Virginia Woolf. “FUGITIVE PIECES” by Mary Hutchinson. “THE BLACK SOUL,” by L. O'Flaherty. “THE SPY,” by Upton Sinclair. “THE HULL OF COINS,” by J. D. Kerruish. “THE WHITE SHIP,” by A. Kallas. NON-FICTION “THE FRIENDSHIP OF GOD,” by Maude Royden. “WILL CIVILISATION CRASH?" by J. M. Kenicorthy. “THE UNKNOWN GODDESS,” by Humbert Wolfe. “LANDMARKS IN NINETEENTH CENTURY PAINTING,” by Clive Bell. “DOWN THE FAIRWAY,” by Robert J. Jones, Jr. “BEYOND THE BALTIC,” by A. MacCallum Scott. “HISTORIC LOVERS,” by W. L. George. “THIS BELIEVING WORLD,” by Lewis Browne. '