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

"COURIER MAIL," tl I I I 4r!c9 Brisbane, Qld. "COURIER MAIL," Qld. IS 4. The National Gallery is showing its treasures THE Exhibition of Acquisitions 1951 to 1953, which opened last night at the Queensland National Gallery, will be of great interest to all who have the growth and advancement of this cul- tural institution at heart. Wandering through the gallery one cannot held feel- ing cheered that so much of value has been added in the short space of two years, and much of this has happened through the generosity of pi I - vote donors, Among the paintings, two acquisitions stand out; the Walter Sickert and the Augustus John. Sickert's painting "Whistler's Studio," donated by Lady Murdoch, gives the Gallery its first work by this Important figure in the de- velopment of the Modern School in England. The fascination of this pic- ture lies in the manner by which Sickert was able to ex- tract magic from an ordinary architectural motif. Note Sickerrs insistence on planes and how interestingly re- cession and form is suggested by colour nod tone only. Fine portrait THE portrait of his son by Augustus John surely is one of John's best portraits. It has great strength, com- bined with vitality. The brushwork is a mosaic of brilliant colour, but form emerges powerfully. John Orple's "Self Portrait" Is a fine example of, the Eng- lish School in the 18th Cen- tury. Dervent Lee's painting is very decorative and pleases by its simplicity, The collection of English paintings has been much enriched by the gift of Mrs. Lucy Carrington Wertheim, of London, comprising 25 drawings and water colours. These hove been donated as a token of esteem to the newly -appointed director of e Gallery," anti include _ART in all its forms enriches our lives. All things conceived in the mind of man, whether it be a sonata or a sponge cake, can be works of art. The clothes we wear, the glasses we drink from, the chairs we sit down on-all should be works of art. This is the opinion of Robert Haines, , Awareness of all things Director of the Queensland National Art !tleads to the spinet:lotion of Gallery, who has made such a strong ennui-,i2,let,)rirttil(nstp ptrisliantt i ateoe , forisi it bution to community culture by presenting turns when he seeks to ex - art to the layman in all its simplicity. He I press himself on canvas does not talk in cliches, but in simple every- I In an endeavour to solve the problems and needs of day language. Mistmfactureliss of house- painting and sculpture by GERTRUDE LANGER some fine examples of mod ern painters in England a: well as two water colours by the French painter Gommon A debt of gratitude is aim owed to Mr. S. Courtauld, London, who presented the Gallery with 27 valuable Turner engravings. Some of these have special collectors value, being early proofs. Two sculptures AMONGST recent pur- chases by the Trustees are a fine Max Meldrum "Interior," two cheerful oils by Philips Fox. a lovely oil by Bessie Gibson, two oils by Strecton, two by Charles Bush, a charming portrait by Phyl Waterhouse, and works of a number of other Aus- tralian artists of earlier date, as well as cmitemporary. Two pieces of Sculpture have been added: "Seal," by our own Leonard Shillam. very fine carving in granite, and an abstract composition by Margaret Hinder. which is sure to rouse comment. Very special praise is due for the acquisition of some not only very valuable but really lovely pieces of Chinese pottery, Let us hope these pieces will form the nucleus for n col- lection of Eastern art, in which there is now an ever growing interest in the West. Subtle shapes THE three bowls of the Sung period 1060-1280s reflect the high culture of China in this time. So lovely are their subtle and refined shapes and glares that, It is hard to say which is the most wonderful. One longs to caress their shapes. The granary urn In form of a farmer's silo is another valuable piece, It is of the Period of lion (around the birth of Christi, and of the sane period is the Terracotta Jar with a relief decoration representing El hunting scene. The decoration on this ves- sel gives proof of China's trade with Western Asia and of the introduction of the horse into China in this Period. Art on paper OTHER works of Chinese nit are the four panels. landscape paintings with tiny figures painted on paper with ink and water colour. They probably were part of a six -partite screen of which two panels have been lost. I think they could be quite valuable. Perhaps they are of the 15th or 16th century. A Greek wine vessel with re- lief band Is also a very happy. acouisition. "TELEGRAPH" Brisbane, (Ai. Group show at gallery The Quensla n National Ate Gallery is now exhibiting as a col- lection if from the ts acquisitions alco95utisitetiounies Present date. Whether by purchase or enrichedlested Gallery has beets W extent, and it 1: by ygrtehaet presentation of them in this manner that the general public is made aware of the institution's activities. The important works are those of Augustus Dejoiriwnent Leo r Meld um, Streams, Fbx, Gibson, and Shilliun together with the examples of Chinese saroti-iMELVILLE HAY - By.... Marjorie Paltreyman Queensland Country Life, September 10, OH Art Enriches Life FOUND IN SIMPLE THINGS, SAYS ROBERT HAINES 'GOVT BIG AID TO GALLERY' THE State Govern- ment was the prin- cipal benefactor of the Queensland National Art Gallery, Mr, E. A. Ferguson said last night. Mr. Ferguson, who is chairman of trustees of the Gallery, was opening an ex- hibition of 1951-53 acquisi- tions. He said that for years the. Gallery had little or no as- sistance, but the Govern- ment now was granting it £7000 annually. One way for people to as- sist the Gallery would be to make gifts of paintings as a form of memorial, Mr. Fer- guson said. Memorial The Gallery was grateful for Lady Murdoch's recent gift, Walter Sicked's "Whistler's Studio," In mem- ory of her late husband, Sir Keith Murdoch, he added, About 80 people, induct - Inn Sir Edward Morgan, chairm Australianes Art dal- South rt lam attended the opening country people In relation to art, Mr, Haines will visit hold goods are calling on only, and dismiss it be- Martborough and Bundn- the best designers to shape Cause they consider lack of berg on September ft and their wares, realising the, knowledge. a bar to spore - '10 at the invitation of the need for a return of good dation. 'lids is a wrong. Adult Education centres line and piioporl ion, he impression and should be and the arts societies in says. ' dispelled. 'Flw word "art" Is often. Art ,s a way of life and those dialrictig tuibunderstood. M a u v Iv to be found in everyday The sobjeet of his ler- people believe it refers to things that surround its. titre will M ri "HWht Borealisether About Art i. s the lack of facilities in the county to enable people to become familiar with works 31of art, and hopes his visit In these closer districts ,will open the way for solu- tion of the difficulties of t how who live far from the large centres. Technicolour Mr. Haines believes tint. teelw,iolour films of great artists, which show the ipointituss in all their ,brainy, are the best medium. Fly predicts that it will not be long before alums of this kind are made !in Australta, 'Mere are many difficul- ties in sending exhibitions lor painting and sculpture and Rood lecturers to the country. Often, too, troll- ies are not available; but Mr. Haines shows Mrs. Ron Bell of Stirling, Roma, "E st her, the Artist's Daughter" (bronze) by Jacob Epstein. (D'Arey More studio). ro "COURIER MAIL," EF Brisbane, Qld. Art lovers in long debate Con I emporn r,y versus traditional art was the theme of the Queensland National Gallery Society's monthly discussion last night. The Central Technical College art school head ,Mr. C. G. Gibbs, used actual Paintings to illustrate his lecture no traditional art. Mrs. Pant Macfarlane, who recently returned from, studying abroad, spoke on' contemporary art and showed examples on a screen. even t o c town has a screen and a projector which could be tired on off nights. "Cmtain Call." now showing in a Brisbane News Theatre, is n charm- ing example of this type of film. It depicts various phases of life from which Degas. the famous nine- teenth century French im- pressionist, drew his in- spiration Horses on the race track, peasant women going Omni their everyday tasks, and young ballerinas I by which the artist is best k n own are shown and Then revealed on canvas with beauty and a touch of maple. Should It it,, to your !country theatre. mark Ir a. "must" on yoto pro I gramme. It will amen' ti even the most seeptieni.