Newspaper Article 1969 – Great stride forward by many HB artists

Critic says
Great stride forward by many HB artists

Many of the artists exhibiting at the Hawke’s Bay Art Gallery’s annual exhibition this year have made a great stride forward.

Last year better colour and composition and improved techniques with paint were strong features of the exhibition. This year the top group has built on this base and reached out adventurously to make this exhibition the best yet.

The quality of the best work is very good and is the equal of any art society show in New Zealand.

NOT ALL OF last year’s exhibitors have made an advance, however. Some are being left well behind and quite a few are missing from the walls. And some of the poorer works lower the overall standard of the show, particularly in one or two spots in the smaller room. Some paintings shown are not as good as the better work in last year’s student exhibition.

Landscapes still predominate but this year the many different approaches provide something for all.

P. Simmonds has a couple of attractive abstracts in good colour in ‘‘Winter Trees “and “Old Gums.” L. M. Theakstone has a gay group in striking colour and Deirdre Helmore’s “Old Mill” is a nice piece of work.

IF YOU HAVE ever come down the hill from Elsthorpe on to the Patangata bridge you will recognise immediately G. F. Fuller’s successful painting, of the scene which catches the mood of the wide, bare riverbed and the lonely hotel.

P. McCarty has struck out, boldly with two large, jazzy landscapes which clamour for attention; perhaps a little too loudly. As a complete contrast B. M. Dentice’s ‘‘Back of the Pub” and “The Back Door” are worth some study. Marion Tylee introduces a change of pace with her linocuts and a water colour and chalk work, ‘‘The Hospital,” by W. A. G. Penlington, has many good qualities.

THERE IS mastery in Harril Barden’s water colour “Summer Shades” and good drawing in R. N. Milne’s “Logan Rock.”

Two delightful small pictures should not be overlooked. These are C. M. J. Blow’s “Three Tomatoes” and “Woman Reclining.” Both are drawn well and have good colour.

M. J. Bryant’s etching “The Stone Age” is attractive for its subdued colour and Paddy Smith has something interesting with “Goats Study,” a collage with cryla and conte.

G. W. Edwards has a group of strong landscapes and his “Conflict Now” will compel attention.

FLOWER STUDIES have dropped in number suddenly, which is all to the good. Those hung are good in quality and O. M. Cox has managed to produce an interesting picture from the humble marguerite daisy. Toni Newman’s “Rushes” is an appealing work with a delicate pattern.

Vikki Helmore has a striking design and glowing colour in her “Pullets” and M. D. MacCallum has made a worthwhile try at something new in “Pop Group.” There is a riot of colour and explosive action in M. M. Tanser’s “Tumbling Horses” and a fascinating and lighthearted water colour and ink work, “Ranfurly Shield,” by D. Joy Overy, is a meritorious effort. It shows about 50 faces.

ONCE AGAIN the portrait section is weak both in quality and quantity, but the section is redeemed by three strongly painted oil portraits by W. A. Sutton.

Strangely, each year there seems to be but one nude in the exhibition. Is this policy, or are our painters shy of the lovely female form?

COMPETING strongly for attention is the pottery section, which has been assuming greater importance each year.

This year’s display has a professional quality about it and overall the work is of an exceptionally high standard – and all at very low prices.

Perhaps a cylinder vase and casserole beautifully shaped and worked by Estelle Martin, is worth special mention with a spiral floral container and large planter by B. J. Martin. The finely-glazed work of R. C. Huck, a caserole [casserole] by G. Ace, a lidded crock by Ingeborg Jenssen and an interesting collection of sculptured pieces by P. J. Rout, help to make the best pottery section yet.

Among the interesting exhibits in the sculpture section are three intriguing pieces by J. M. von Dadelszen.

The exhibition, which opened at Napier last night, continues until August 17. – Paul Bennett.

Photo captions –

A lighthearted ink and water colour crowd scene by D. Joy Overy almost needs no title. The picture, “Ranfurly Shield,” is one of more than 230 exhibits in the Hawkes’ Bay Art Gallery’s annual exhibition which opened at Napier last night.

This stoneware cylinder vase by Estelle Martin is one of many striking exhibits in the pottery section of the Hawke’s Bay Art Gallery’s annual exhibition.