GRAPHIC ARTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1042, 5 August 1930, Page 14

GRAPHIC ARTS

EXCELLENT EXHIBITION AT ART GALLERY WORK OF NEW ZEALANDERS The artists of New Zealand have responded splendidly to the request to send examples of their work for a loan exhibition of the graphic arts to be held at the Auckland Art Gallery. There are 117 prints by 41 artists. The exhibition will be opened tomorrow afternoon by Dr. E. B. Gunsoa, president of the Art Society. An excellent selection has been made and the work shows that artists of the Dominion are doing work which will bear comparison with much from overseas. Examples of all the graphic arts are to be seen—etchings, wood blocks, w-oodcuts, lithographs, mezzotints, aquatints, dry points, line engravings and coloured wood blocks. The modern movement has not yet appeared in its most advanced form, but several woodcuts by James Boswell, a young Aucklander who is a member of the London Group in England, will make an interesting comparison with the work of the local artists. HISTORY OF PROGRESS

A short history of the progress of the graphic arts in New Zealand has been compiled 4>y Mr. John Barr and Mr. T. V. Gulliver, who have selected the pictures for the exhibition. This dates from ISSB to the present day and shows a fine record of achievement.

Two lithographs in colour by Arnold Goodwin and E. Warner, of Mills Lane, are beautiful examples of simple and effective treatment. Mr. Goodwin's work is the more effective and is rich In the treatment of simple line and colour mass. Mr. Gulliver also has several fine pictures in the exhibition. His woodcuts are delightfully clean and admirably constructed. Richard Wallwork, of Christchurch, has sent some charming work, both landscape and figure. A street scene in Cairo, “Richmond Castle” and some figure subjects show him a master of line whether in etching, drypoint or line engraving. Trevor Lloyd has sent some typical New Zealand hush scenes. Connie and Olive Lloyd are both represented by several charming little studies. H Tornquist’s collection of five tiny woodcuts is worthy of close inspection. A. J. Rea, a Timaru artist, has obtained a nice effect in some aquatints of mountain scenery. Hilda Wiseman is represented by two charming examples of her work. , STUDIES OF FAMILY W. J. Cooch’s colour print of cranes is beautifully handled. His use of colour and line proves the artist of ability in any medium. Linley Richardson seems to have pictured the growth of his family In every medium, and gives us some charming studies of children. L. B. Booth, of Christchurch, has sent his famous “Loafer,” which is one of the finest things in the exhibition. J. M. Thoraasson, of Christchurch, is represented by two of the best landscapes in the gallery. E. W. Payton’s work is admirable, as is also that of Eve Poison and A. F. Nicholl. Among the other artists who are represented A. J. Brown, J. P. Sydney, Harry Wallace, Pascoe Redwood, Francis Mason, R. F. Way. Stuart Peterson, J. McDonald. W. S. Percy (the actor), W. E. Rice, David Payne, W. H. Allen, Kenneth Watkins, James Fitzgerald, W. F. Barraud, Percy Bagnall, A. H. Hooper, G. Meadows, and R. Donn. Several of the pictures have been ioaned by the Turnbull Library (Wellington), Phillips and Impey, E. S. Kohu. and Fred Watson. Since the loan exhibitions were instituted at the Art Gallery, they have been attended by 14,448 people, made up as follow: Etchings exhibition, 4,530; Japanese prints, 5,655: graphic arts, 1,890; and book-plates, 2,373.