Queensland Art Gallery Presscuttings Book 1 : Presscuttings, 1959-1962

From From war "COURIER MAIL," Brisbane, Qld_. -PICTURES THAT ESCAPED SHIPWRECK £100,000 French paintings to be shown in Brisbane THE £100,000 exhibi- tion of "French ainting To -day," at the mercy of the sea off Tas- mania in the hold of the stranded steamer "Mer- ino" last week, is due to be shown in Brisbane from April 10 to May G. The 119 paintings and three tapestries compris- ing this most exciting exhibition were out of danger when the ship floated off a sandbank in Bluestone Bay at the week -end. The exhibition Is perhaps the most important ever brought to Australia. It pre- sents for the first time in this country a representative collection of the work of "modern" French painters. Strangely enough, what is called modern French paint- ing has been going on since almost the day that Phillip landed at Sydney Harbour in 1788. Thus, what we here think Is very "new" is as old as Australia Itself. I have just received a copy of the first proofs from the printers of the excellent cata- logue of this exhibition ar ranged between the French and Australian Governments, through the Boards of Trus- tees of the National Galleries of Australia. We plan to hang the ex - From E. H. FERGUSON, charm., of Trustee* Queerialund Art Gallery ill1111111111111111.101111111111111111111,11111111101111.11111111111111114 hibition in what has been described as "one of the most tasteful and effec- tive Art Galleries in the Com- monwealth." The remodelled Queenslnlnl National Art Gal- lery, with its effective fluor- escent lighting provides a magnificent setting for such an exhibitiop. Shows fifty years Sir Charles Lloyd Junes, vice-president of the Board of Trustees of the National Art Gallery of New South Wales, who was the prime mover in proposing this Exhibition, was 'the first art authority to In- spect and comment upon our Queensland Art Gallery after Its renovation in Sep- tember, 1950. He Wrote, "I was amazed at the transformation that has taken place." If that work had not been done, it is doubtful whether Queensland would have se- cured the "French Painting To -day" Exhibition. In the main, it consists of the work of 77 French artists (some of their work most controversinh and presents a "MAIL" FirialumPr Qld. liedt'il, art I, in 44 aril The exhibition of 119 French modern paintings which hjsc stirred the South - on direslaym at uthy Queenbe land National Gallery. Brie bane, from April 11 to May 8. Five thousand viewers n day are seeing it in Sydney now, and reports say many of them see it with horri- fied wonder. Thp National Art Gaitery H Director (Mr. Robert aines( said last night that al- though few people could un- derstand these abstract works, they showed a per- fect relation of colour which could be appreciated. "Even if people are horri- fied, they will see some apqualities in each to preciate. and they willainting get used to this type of work.' he said. The paintings should be a gnrea int f luen helpcing to local and Impainterprovs ins the colour of Australian painters, he add d. "MAIL" , - Brisbane, Old. Y - - - " Expect crowd Full staff will be on duty at the Queensland Netional Art. Gallery to -day to deal with a crowd expected to equal last Sunday's record 5000. By last night nearly 19,000 had seen the exhibition since it opened the pre- vious Saturday. Tltc exhibition to -day is open from 2 pm to 5 pm. The Gallery is at. the "tram stop you gel off at for the Royal Show." "COURIER MAIL," ,,,j fairly clear picture of the past 50 years of .French painting. Included in the catalogue are the names Picasso, Roo- ault, Chngall, Derain, Matisse, These names have made news and controversy in the world of net and the Exhibition will enable the man -in -the -street to see "The Orange Bodice" and "The Lady with tire Green Bodice:. by Pablo Picasso; "Exodus," "Tiberius," "Passion," and "The Little Sorceress," by Georges Reti- nue.; "Trough with Two Pigs" and "The Black Glace." by Chagall: "The Forest," by De- rain; and "Seascape at The Cap. D'Antibes.' "Saint Michel Quay," and "Nude on a Yellow Chaise -lounge," by Henri Matisse. Govt will help The catalogue has an intro- duction in both French and Australia was made respon- sible for the "safeguarding" of the exhibition In Australia and if 'it had been lost it would have been many a long year before the French Gov- ernment, Art Galleries, and prime collectors in France could have seem induced to part with paintings on loan again. Open minds needed The trustees expect that this display will be something of "shocker'' to the man and woman in the street, Is this art?" . "Whitt is Art coin- ing to?" . . "What does all this mean?"-these are some of the outtotions we expect to hour- We n aesakedbest answer in the words of Jean Casson, who writes in the introduction thus:- "A movement so well estab- lished and assured as that of modern French painting should offer us, in this period, figures as indubitably master; no their most 'nitwits predecessors. A half century tremendously tumultuous and prolific, during which French genius has shone with such arresting brilliance that it has drawn Into its orbit, the English by Jean Cassou, who I most impatient and audacious 1s Conservateur en Chef du artists from all over the Muses National d'Art Mod- world." erne of France. Hnl Missinglinm, director of the NSW Gallery, who has done much of the prepara- tory work on this exhibition, tells us that for three and half years, Australia has beers striving to get these paint- ings. Former Prime Minister Joins Curtin guaranteed the return freight on behalf of the Commonwealth Govern- ment end Prime Minister Menzies agreed to subscribe equally with the State Gal- leries in the en* of the ven- ture to a sum not exceeding From "COURIER MAIL," "TELEGRAPH" Brisha Brisbane, Qld. Art Ault. ( )N1.; et III, 1/11:1;V,1 functions lien immt was the opening ol tire exit'. introit of French winnings it the Queensland National y. were tiou iiivit'ii guests. The exhibitien was opened by the General for Fiance Mr. NI J. Strauss,. PUZZLED BY ART Ilan Bradley. of St. Lucia (right). seems to have seen the light but Don Frew. of Wilston, is completely puzzled. The two lads were at- tending the French Art Exhibition at t h e Queensland Museum. "TELEGRAPH," "COURIER MAIL" Brisbane, Qld. £90,000 Paintings Brisbane, Qld BIG ART, DISPLAYS ' T h e Queensland National Art Gallery will be re -hung -faieach of two big exhibitions be- tween April and hese. The first of these. a a L90,000 exhibition of French art which will be on display for about three weeks from the end of April An exhibitoon of paint- ings from Brisbane private collections will follow. I his display will last for !our weeks, Brisbane, Old.- EXPECT WISH TO ART The Q lend National A,e Gallery will not be open to-day-but will be prepared fee rush of visitors 1 neat week. Interest in the French Art Exhibition at the Gal- lery has been so great in ne the last two weeks, that the 8000 catalogues minted for the Exhibition had been sold out by Thursday. The Courier -Mail offered to help and had printed and delivered 3000 more catalogues by 5 pm yester- day. Gallery director (Mr. Rob. ert Haines) said last night: "It is a magnificent job." The Gallery will be open eovnerzArecclianyesdneext., Tinliadnadv nights from ', 00.30. The French Art Exhibition will close in two weeks. "COURIER MAIL," 2 ART SHOWS IN NEW YEA Brisbane will see two major exhibitions of French contemporary and Indian art early next year. The Quec !island Nationgl Art Gallery di- rector (Mr. Robert Bullies) said yesterday that a f90,000 French ex- hibition would be shown in Brisbane in April or May. There were 117 paint- ings by 77 artists, and a large tapestry by Gio- make. Artists repre- sented would include Pi- casso, Braque, Derain, Rouault, Matisse, Chile- an, Dufy, and Miro. The whole gallery would be devoted to the exhibition. Special lec- tures and recital* of French music would be given. 300 ORIGINALS The Indian art exhibi- Tton, sponsored by the Indian Government, would be held in all capi- tal cities before the end of February, There were more than 300 original paintings representing various schools of modern art in India, more than 100 colour reproductions of ancient masterpieces, and photographs of his- torical buildings an monuments. "COURIER MAIL," APR /9. Brisbane -1s it a hoax? M,'Ari there ever a greater hoax than what we are seeing at the Apt- Gallery? Surely the French people will grow fat with laughter. What a pity they did not invade the realm of music by assembling n roaring lion, a screaming hyaena, a kooks - burnt, a braying ass, and a couple of fighting cats; re- cording their combined vocal- ising: proclaiming it the long lost work of Wagner and 'slaying the record at the en- trance to the Gallery. How proud we should have been to have discerned the hand of the Old Master. There is hope, however, for the humble house painter. Let him take his six different col- oured brushes, draw them haphazardly across a canvas, label it 50-51, and he will surely achieve renown as famous artist - J. Wilson. Nleklin Street, Coorpareo, "TELEGRAPH" Apr, , ART INTEREST Phone rang throughout his day off It. Hobert Ilaines yest y cv 0 u I (I tune had his Orel (Illy nil' more than a tveelt - but his home telephone lien! ringing. Collet,. dozen, of I Item, II eel to know'. "Where is thr National Art Griller Where ran we see the I tench II,' 5 inn er-terday. 25.000 II r rally lied isued the AI l I:ehrhit Inn -60n0 01 11(11 V. ',1011i.i irti 11,11111 ,..1111 HItticlipris hose 150,1 nie both none and ut the ennery to Impure Idiom the exhibi- tion mat how to get to the Most unusual 11,1 h, 11.101 III.. 1/1/11 1111 .11 1/, /' ,11111, ii 11, '.I/ II. ..111 If 111./.1111 'I'-:11 11 1 I 11 JO, I' I Brisbane, Q1d. * * Vultures for culture Trustees and officials of the Queensland National Art Gallery don't like people saying that it is at the Museum. The Art Gallery is a separate and distinct entity. they say. But how many would know where to find the Art Gallery if the fact were not mentioned that It is in the seine building as the Museum? * * Today's quotation: Nothing con he lasting :hen reason cloirs not rule. &It