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

51 Brisbane, Gild. IC DEC 1955 'Hang more paintings' My Society considers the time opportune to Criticise the policy now be- ing pursued in the display of works in the lvtidoell-..Art. Gallery.in Brisbane. While it may be ,:anted that the present policy of display- ing only a portion of the pic- tures owned by the people of Queensland, makes for a more adequate exhibition of the selected works, it must also be admitted that this policy de- prives country visitors of the opportunity of viewing work.; which must surely be worthy of at least occasional exhibi- tion, 'Representative' My society, therefore, urges that, at least for the periods of the school vacations when there are large numbers of visitors from the country, an endeavour be made to display. If not all the works possessed by the gallery, a much greater and more representative select- nett than present policy seems to hictate.--W. M. Millar, lion. Secretary, Hundaherg Art Society. I The Chairman of Trus- tees of the Queensland National Gallery (Mr. E. A. Ferguson ) said last night that the policy followed by the Queensland Gallery in its exhibition of works of art, teas similar to that followed by leading galleries through- out the world. From time to time selec- tions of paintings from its collection were on display. It was not possible to dis- play all the works at the one time. But the suggestion by the flundaberg Art Society had some merit, and, in future, an effort would he made dur- ing school vacations, to make a representative showing of works of art, while allowing for the various exhibitions which might be on loan from other galleries to the Queens- land Gallery.' From "TELEGRAPH" 15 APR rq Brisbane, Aid. ifts for Gallery Portraits of Sir John Chandler and Lady Chandler will be presented to the Queensland A r t Gallery on Wednes- day. The portraits, by Brisbane artist Charles Bush. will be presented to the gallery by Slr John Chandler, former Lord Mayor of Bris- bane. The presentation will be made at a function in the City Hall. Sir John Chandler will first accept the paintings from a re- presentative of the t r u slt which was formed to administer a public fund to which more than £5,000 was subscribed in apprecia- tion of his work as Lord Mayor of Bris- bane from 1940 to 1952. Sir John and Lady Chandler expressed the wish that the money should be applied for the benefit of Brisbane. It was decided that the interest should be used for the acquisi- tion of works of art for the Gallery. "COURIER MAIL" Brisbane, Gild. REVIEll by Gertrude Langer NEW GALLERY IS CITY NEED IT Is a sad state of affairs that a city of the size of Brisbane is with- out any place where slightly larger exhibitions, local or visiting, can he shown since Finney's with- drew their gallery. Surely. something could he done about It. Ilowev.The '`EADou'r Csl Exhi I ment, he said. half Doze show Debt Used centralisation department moreA_ mom any other catticrai ilnenozeuilnien sure to prevate0"..WP-"' The most Interesting works on show are two monotype drawings by John Right'. Then there is Hal MissIngliam's nice pen drawing of Hobart. .ITMOSPHERIC As all things are relathe. tote may also mention water colours by Wilson Cooper in his usual atmospheric man- ner, Winifred Towers' typi- cal unstrained "gentle and natural," but certainly not formally exciting paintings. hest seen this time in the flute-playing little girl. anti C. C. Bennett's "Fish- ermen," deriving a certain crispness from cubistic de- vices, applied, however, in a manner of commercial art. Among others exhibiting are Mavis Tilley. Betty Quelhurst, Frank Sherrin. Marian Finlayson, Lilian Pedersen, Doreen Harris, and F. Rowland, "COURIER MAIL" Brisbane, GlId. "COURIER MAIL" Brisbane, Aid. !.;:. M°ItrinT to seeing the great paintings 01 the world. But recently, Mr D. Anions, chairman of directors of Q.A.L., brought bark from Europe a superb collection of prints, such things its Raphael's Madonna and Child. The Toilet of Venus by Velasquez, and La Bohemienne by Franz Hals He lent them to the Queens- land National Gallery and they will be on show from Friday. The chairman of trustee, Mr Edgar Ferguson. urns figuring last night that only they were originals au show would be worth about £50 million. The Gallery could use some money hitt that "COURIER MAIL" Brisbane, Aid. k i'HE/COURIIR.MAIL MONDAY APRIL 16 1956 Art gallery card draws criticism QUEENSLAND National Art Gallery trustees ore considering whet to do about criticism of o wall information cord on prints of famous paintings. iroLtir OF PRINTS AT ART GALLERY BY GERTRUDE L.1.\CER THE majority of people have no opportunity of seeing the great masterpieces of world art. For this reason, there is a need to show them in re- productions. This is one of the tasks of an up-to-date National Art Gallery, which ought to stage frequent print exhibitions. Each time, the selection ought to be instructive of either a period, a nation, or a master, or should have some definite underlying theme. . Quality of prints Now, for a period of two weeks. we have at the Na- tional Art Gallery a small exhibition of reproductions, lent by Queensland Airways Pty., Ltd. Praiseworthy as this ges- ture is, the defects of the lout must be pointed by the critic. While the exhibition includes well- known paintings of the Italian, Netherlandish, French. English, and Spanish Schools, the selection is too much at random to be in- structive of any country or period. But while this would cer- tainly not impair the enjoy- ment of individual paintings. the quality of the prints Medici prints) in many cases does. The orints arc not of the standard of to- day's best print -making firms, which I have named in previous prints reviews. In addition to a lack of accuracy in reproducing colour nuances and texture. a number of prints are of too minute a size In relation to the original to convey a fair idea. is understood that the card will be removed. The card is on the gal- lery wall Ina section con- taining prints of paintings by Dutch, Italian, French, English. and Spanish artists. It says, among other things:- "All art of whatever period was inspired by a motive-the Church, mon- arch, wealthy magnates, decorations for altars. illu- minated addresses. etc.. but all was dominated more or less by the profit motive. Sordid motives "True. some were inspired by more altruism. but the degeneration of much of the world's art has been the rc suit of sordid motives." Art lovers said yesterday the statements were wrong. Many famous artists had painted for the love of painting and had died in poverty. One of the trustees said he objecte to the state - "COURIER MAIL" 1 Brisbane, Ald. Gallery takes down card A wall inforination cathrd which drew criticism of e Queensland Notional Art. Gallery was taken down yes-' erdny 'rhe card Was sett the gal-: lery wall in a ion con-, taming prints of paintings! Dutch, Italian.. French,' English, and Spanish artists. theft cea ro whe :-"Astatements oftt ha leyer period was inspired by a motive-the church.; ononarchy. wealthy !nag- tett, decoration for altars. illuminated addresses. rte, hut all vas dominated by the profit notice. . yesterdaytee of the gallery to the gal - }fry. and later the end tvrt. removed. The Gallery Director Hobert Haines) is at present overseas. Mr. Walter Coll-. Inas. retired school teacher. Igo Is in charge of the got- lery at present, said last night he lind written the statement. to