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

No wonder we're grow- ing old so fast and the weather Is so topsy- turvy. We're having three wefts in one thh week "COURIER MAIL," ,Brisbane, A rich glow pervades work of colourist by GERTRUDE LANGER pill% Waterhouse, who eshililta IS oils at. the John- stone Gallery, is a colourist of distinction. And this means the fol- lowing things: the mastery of contrast and harmony (most Important), the use of rare colour, not just any com- mon red or green: and also it means intensity of hue, a rich glow, This latter is rarely ob- tained by flat application of paint but rather by the build- ing up of several layers. And It la in this that Miss Waterhouse shows her greatest strength. Her sur- face Is most sensuous; a rich web; and the paste just right, not oily, not too dry, very appealing. "Abarayon Harbour," is not only by far the best picture In the show but also one that one would be glad to own one- self. It is a delight for this she., beauty of pigment. The i.olours kept well within their allotted areas so as to support a subtle rhythmic pattern of shapes and lines; a fine pic- ture which does not reveal its beauties all at once and sus- tains the interest. In "Market Day, Ceylon" power is shown in the simultaneous harmonising of light and dark contrasts, as leen as of complementary colours. In "Regent Canal, Lon- don" alone the old wall with its rich simulated snot imit4- live) texture, is a delight to the eye, but it is also built ,Into a satisfying scheme of shape and colour. "Paper Hoy" might derive popular appeal from the more external features large eyes, facial expression), but even without these, this would he a painting of much beauty for colour's sake alone. The way the newspaper Is painted is a toy. Religious paintings "THE Sorrowing Women* Is an Interesting re- ligious painting: however, the pictorial idea is perhaps not exploited to the fullest. What Phyl Waterhouse has to soy is not always of the same depth. In the best work, such as mentioned, there is true poetry of feellng in others, slighter ones, feminine charm with quite a glow of warmth is an endearing quality; in still others a "fashionable" touch and sophisticated aloofness pre- vail. As Miss Waterhouse has so much more to give, I do not think that this last category will satisfy her for long. Great hopes held for young artist By GERTRUDE LANGER THE Royal Queensland Art Society's Younger Group of Artists are holding their annual show at Finneys' Art Gallery. It also includes eleven artists who entered for the young artists' scholarship. The judges (Robert while there is improvement in Haines, Vida Lahey, and somel c the whole, toheek' sstwanordka.rd myself), were unanimous of the Younger Artists is de - in awarding the first prize to finitely rising and this year's Alexa TRIAL? and two second show is the best so far. prizes to Janice Barber and Richard Werner. AT the Moreton Galleries, Alexa 'rabke plans to use the print collector will her scholarship to study at find some interesting prints the East Sydney Technical which include Van Gogh, College. Toulouse Lautrec, Vlaminck, Utrillo, Christopher Wood and She submitted two figure Tristram Hillier, as well as modelling!. in addition to paintings and drawings and two Madonnas by Boticelli. showed a natural ability in all media. Her work is re- markably expressive ar-r, original and the judges ho great hopes fur her. Janice Barber, who drew tention previously tvi animal drawings, has ye much developed in the li year. Her ability to integrate well observed fact into charm- ing and imaginative designs is evident. Her oils are quite captivating end her sensitive pencil drawing of a nude is well deserving of praise. Gifted painter Richard Werner, who came to Australia from Europe five years ago and works here as a commercial artist, is now de- finitely among the most gifted young painters here, end,I feel we shall hear more of him. He shows various Euro- pean Influences and experi- ments with various styles. but the creative element is quite strong and there is a fine feeling for colour and pattern. Ills work suggests more experience than one expects in one so young. In fact, all the prize winners have a creative attitude and there is nothing stereotyped about them. Of other exhibitors Helen Anstotz. Ann Thomson, and Pam Watkins show promise, CITY DISPLAY ART WEEK OPENING THE Education Minis- ter (Mr. Devrles) will open Queensland's first National Art Gallery Week in King George Square at 1.15 p.m. to-day. Young artists will work on paintings on the City Hall steps, the approach to the City Hall, and on buildings around King George Square. They will also show their works In a City Hall pave- ment display. Special art exhibitions and lectures will continue until Friday in the biggest art week in Queensland's history. Special lectures "TELEGRAPH; There will be lectures the National Art Gallery at leach evening, and illustreted talks in the City Hall each Brisi hutch hour. Gallery trustees have planned the week to make art and the Art Gallery bet- ter known to the public. Exhibitions Include 'a dis- plvc of 001011,:, !neel- a SCHOOLGIRL ARTIST Alexa Tahke, of Brighton. who yesterday won the 000 Younger Artists' Group Scholarship In Brisbane, with one of the sketches included in her exhibits at the Younger Artists' Group show at Finney's Gallery. Youngest entrant in the Scholarship, 17 -year-old Mesa, was awarded the prize by a panel of three judges. Wearing a Brisbane Grammar School uniform, From "COURIER MAIL," Brisbane, Qld. GIRL'S BIG ART PRIZE ^re Alexis said after the an- nouncement: "Now I will he able to study art at the East Sydney Technical College." JUDGES' PRAISE Tile judges, Director of the National Art Gallen Mr. Robert Dailies), Di. Gertrude' Langer, and Miss Vida Lahey, said they had no hesitation In choosing Alexa. "tier work is outstand- ing, amazing for one so young." Dr. Langer said. Since she was 14 Alexis "COURIER MAIL," has been astounding art critics:- In 1952 she won first prize in The Sunday Mall art contest in the under lit, in 195:1 she won It again, and first prize in the design section. At the Brisbane Eis- teddfod in 1952 she "stag- gered" the judge. Mr. Robert Haines with her meddling, which won her first prize. She won first prir for water colour paintin at the Brisbane Eisteddfo In 1953. Bit1:13ANE: WLD, OUT. 27, 19 THREE -IN -ONE 25 OCT -,4. Brisbane, QI FIRE PREVENTION WEEK Art comes to town THIS is National Art Gallery week in Brisbane, Its pur- pose is to make the Art Gal- lery and its contents more widely known to Brisbane people and visitors to their city. Friends of the gallery are "going to town" to tell people what they are missing by not sometimes taking a short tram ride or motor run specially to see what it can show them. Just now it has a loan ex- hibition of British water-col- ours, examples of the work of all important British paint- ers of the last forty years. At other times its permanent col- lection shows some of the beat work or Australian artists, old and nosy. Many people who respond to this week's invita- tion to visit the gallery will look forward to repeating their visits frequently,. 4.0S MO* r.. ALP 04/ ART GALLERY WEEK