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

From "COURIER MAIL," Brisbane, Qld. LLERY EXHIBITION Epstein breathes life into a piece of metal T HE present exhibi- tion of works by Walter Sickert and Jacob Epstein at the National Art Gallery is of major interest and should not be mined. The paintings and sculptures have been as- sembled from public and private collections in Aus- tralia. Unfortunately it has been impossible to obtain pieces from the Melbourne Gallery; I am thinking mainly of Ep- steM's magnificent heads of Tagore and Einstein. Among the seven Epstein bronzes-I am glad to say- our own Gallery's "Esther, The.Artist's Dausinter.' is the most beautiful. The truthfulness unit tender interpretation of Psyche here reminds one not a little-and this is high praise --of the srulp- by :GERTRUDE LANGER: tures of this Imiyue inter- lude in Egyptian art, the period 15/ King Althnoton, the telighoss reformer. "Mande", with the proud, intelligent and determined ex- pression o( the modern woman, has strong psycho- logical appeal. The other "Esther" (No. 31 is a fine ex- ample of Epstein's rich and sensuous modelling. Epstein's portraits make one wonder how it is possible to arouse such a feeling of vibrant life with pieces of metal. There can be no ques- tion of photographic repro- duction. Transcends visible truth THIS vitality arises from Epstein's very treatment of the material which makes us almost a wit- ness to the process of build- ing up the form with bits of clay, and from Epstein's amazing psychological in- sight which enables him to stress the character of his sitters to a point where he gets at an essence far trans- cending visible truth. As an interpreter of the human soul Epstein may be compared with Rembrandt with whom he also shares the love of richly textured sur- faces and the contrast of light and shade. Of course, a full apprecia- tion of Epstein" Is only pos- sible if we think of him not only as the modeller, but also as the great carver in stone who created such mighty figures as "Adam' or "Night,' Subtleties of a dark palette WALTER Sickert is represented by 12 oils and a number of draw- ings and etchings. Although Sickert's paintings, espec- ially in this land of sun- shine, may lack appeal for the majority of people, they are well worthy of taking a bit of time over them before pass- ing Judgment. Perhaps then one will dis- " TELEGRAPH," I MAY it!, over the subtleties of his dark palette. Trained by Whistler and impressed by Degas, Sickert evolved a manner quite his own. Living through periods of great revolutions in art, Sickest held great respect for tradition; yet there are im- portant features in his work which are part and parcel of contemporary aesthetics, for Instance, his insistence on planes vehiclen colour as the main of expression in painting. In these and other re. aliens he has much In common with his content. rotary. Fuillnrd. flowerer. it is interesting how strongly one becomes aware of Sickeres English- ness by comporing him with the Frenchman. "Commies, Town Bed- room" nr "Whistler's Studio" offer points of such comparison. "Florence Pash" is an ex- ample of Sickert's brilliant handling of the brush. "The Hanging Partridge" is a de- light for people who can ap- preciate pure painterly quail - ties without unduly worrying about a clearly recognisable subject. "Flower Sellers, Dieppe." is an admirable evening mond in the North. Thinking in terms of colour "I ANDSDOWNE Cres- cent, Bath," shows well Sickert's way of see- ing and thinking in terms of colour. There is no ques- tion of foregrounds and back- grounds, but only of the pic- ture as an integrated whole. Note how large areas of light blue, chrome, and Naples yellow and some green have been laid in first like washes, and then a violet network been laid over to indicate fea- tures of houses clouds, and fences. The same violet col- our is used for the shadows which, too, are an integral part of the colour pattern. The pa 'sting to which I cannot warm up at all is "Gatti's Hungerford Palace," an earlier work. The yellow dress of the dancer jumps un- pleasantly out of the picture. This is not one of the best examples of Sickert's music hall paintin a. The exhibition closes on June 14. jle Brisbane, Q'Id. lianist to open allery display World-famous pianist, Solomon, will offically open a special exhibition of paintings by Sickert and bronzes by Epstein at the National Art Gallery tonight. More than 300 guests iii be received by the hairman of trustees (Mr. ,. A. Ferguson) and Mrs. reason. Smart, semi -formal rocking in a wintry trend ill be featured by many f the feminine guests at he opening. Mrs. F. W. Robinson 111,add a matching Jacket to her black lace model which Is fashioned with a deep scoop neckline. An ombrc tie -silk shaded in tonic blue anti pink is the choice of Mrs. Maurice Herring. Bailer - inn -length. the frock is made with a very MI! skirt and is finished with a square neckline. Black Jets and beads are en- crusted on the bodice of the black crepe number Which Mrs. Bruce Barrack will wear. She will cover frock with a fur stole. Poper shantung in an unusual bronze shade striped in black fashion:, the frock which Mrs. C. H. Lancaster will wear. She will add a full-length (mat in bronze =Ws( Mrs. L. J. Harvey will pin a jade brooch to the neckline of her ballerina of forest green taffetas. Highlight of the frock. which shows a bouffant skirt., Is the wide bertha collar. Another to select, qreen Is Mrs. C. M. B. Von Hoinrigh, who will wear an olive-green crepe n..adol finished with From "COURIER MAIL," Brisbane, Students visit art exhibition Nearly 800 trainee teach- ers will see the Epstein- Sickert Exhibition at the National Art Gallery this week. Tile students, from the' Teachers' College. Kelvin Grove. and from the Domes-, tic Science Training School, Gregory Terrace, are visit- ing.. the gallery in small groups every day. The visits have been ar- ranged by the senior lec- turer in art at the Teachers' College (Mr. C. M. S. Van Homrighl. " TELEGRAPH," TEACHERS TO SEE GALLERY Eight hundred teacher mitres from the Kelvin 'rove College and the oniestic Science School re making their annual isit, to the Queensland :atonal Art Gallery this eek. The visit coincides with e special monthly exhi- ition of Epstein-Sickert. Walter Sicken is fam- ous for his drawings and etchings. Jacob Epstein Is one of the vrent figures in twentieth century sculpturing. Mr. C. M. B. Van Hom- sigh. who is senior lec- turer in art nt the Teach- ers' College. is organising the visit. isbane, Q'Id. "COURIER MAIL," v.1511 Brisbane, Qld. nighti Gay adds mpetu , to city winter "season", NEW impetus was given to Brisbane's winter "season" lost night when balls, dances, receptions and dinner parties were held in ma hotels and ballrooms. At the Queenalanc Notional Art Gallery art. overt; saw the official pening by British pianist olomon, of a spectacular sthibition of Epstein bronze. old Sickert paintings. The gallery had added Moor with the skilful use f bamboo poles and "creep- ng" plants at tile entrance lid along the sine walls. The exhibition is valued t. about £14,000. Solomon was welcomed by he chairmen of the Gallery rushee. (Mr. E. A. Fergu- on( and Mrs. Ferguson. "COURIER MAIL," Brisbane, Qld. "MOST IMPORTANT" SHOW AT GALLERY Unt.Elt till ELL THE most important 'urn of Me greatest artists caricature hiibitiohrolviVe-rahrealdniSeadt rut by SirMax Beerbohm. opened Notional Art 'and letters written by boil( Gallory was officially Sicken and Epstein. last night. Its 30 paintings, drawings It will remain open until and etchings by the English June 11. painter W. R. Sicken and The Gallery director seven hroire heeds by Saco), Robert Haines) will g.ir Epstein are valued at a total Iwblie iilecrotusricesinatnetxlite, wtt,0,11.- ISOM. l'he exhibition was imenrit nesday at Ft pm. and on Sick - se tile mot pianist Solo -1 art, the following Wednes- men, whom the Gallery hills -.day at the same time. tees chairman (Mr. Edgar Ferguson( described as "painter hl sound." Solomon described him- self as a "novice" at open- ing exhibitions. But ho was quite certain, hot the exhibition contained seine of the finest examples of paintin and scut Lure b