ART DISPLAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 October 1940, Page 7

ART DISPLAY

WORK OF YESTERDAY & TODAY EXHIBITION OF CONTRAST PAINTINGS. WAIRARAPA TRADITIONS. A notable event, which was described by the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, as the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the town and district, was the opening in the Municipal Hall. Masterton, last night of a comprehensive exhibition of reproductions, in contrast, of the work of famous artists. This collection of many of the finest paintings in the world, reproduced in infinite detail and faithful colour will be open free to the Masterton public for about a week. The attendance of the public was small last night, when Mr Jordan spoke briefly before introducing Colonel A. D. Carbery, a member of the National Art Gallery Committee who will lecture on the collection during the weekend. "We are exceedingly grateful for this exhibition, which. I hope, is only a beginning," said Mr Jordan. That Masterton was art-minded had been proved twelve years ago when Mr Troup, the Mayor of Wellington .had secured active interest in. and financial support for the building of the National Gallery, said Mr Jordan. In appreciation the' gallery authorities had made the Mayor of Masterton a member of the Board of Trustees, but this practice was later suspended. Mr Jordan said he hoped the young people of the community especially would gain benefit from the exhibition, for it was in their hands that the future lay.

“It is rightly said that the people of New Zealand are art-minded." said Colonel Carbery. "We have more Art Galleries in proportion to our population than any other Dominion in the Empire and during the Centennial Exhibition more than 50,000 persons paid for admission to the National Gallery. Here in the Wairarapa you have a group of painters whose works are always welcomed to the Academy and it seems that art appreciation was not unknown here half a century ago." Colonel Carbery read a newspaper cutting which described the opening by Sir George Grey in May, 1888, of a Wairarapa Exhibition at which the most outstanding contributors were R. Beetham, T. J. Donelly, Mrs Brodie, H. F. Rawson, E. Brandon, Radcliffe, and Miss A. H. Holmes. Colonel Carbery said that William Beetham, the Wairarapa. pioneer, was a distinguished portrait painter, and became the first president of the Art Society founded in Wellington in 1882. His portrait of Dr. Featherston was in the National Gallery. "For our purposes these reproductions are as good as the originals and that opinion is shared by the National Gallery in London where prints such as these have replaced the evacuated National Treasures. They are the finest achievements so far attained in colour printing by certain well-equipped and highly specialised establishments in Central Europe. ‘lt is hoped,” concluded Colonel Carb.ery,”’ that all those who visit this collection and can read its message, may find in it not only information, but that spiritual comfort which an appreciation of art may bring in arduous times.” The contrast is not always happy, but there could be no more concisely effective way of comparing the painters in the classical tradition with those who have sought a more direct approach. So that when one sees, side by side, the work of Raphael and Picasso it may be understood that whatever their differences in technique, each master possesses an acute and beautiful vision which is the explanation of his greatness. EXHIBITION HOURS. The exhibition will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. today, and from 2 to 5 p.m. tomorrow, and on the same hours, afternoon and evening next week. Colonel Carbery will explain the collection at this evening’s session, and also tomorrow afternoon.