WienekeArchiveBook1

Artist Displays Craftsmanshi p THIRTY-ONE pastel drawings of ballet, still life, and landscape, by Athol Nicholas, are on show from today at the Moreton Galleries. Mr. Nicholas handles his chalk with knowledge of its require- ments and possibilities. t7NFORTUNATELY we see too few exhibitions of pastel drawing, for this is a very beautiful medium and capable of giving complete satisfaction. Mr. Nicholas displays his craftsmanship. but there is in 'seine of the still life drawings a tendency to over -emphasise rich colour. This must detract from the quality. However, such feeling gives way to one of much greater freedom and rhythm in the figUre sketches and studies. Thinking back over other Nicholas pastels of the past few years, I did not detect any new departure in ,approach or style. Les . Sylphides" (Impression is the most .ambitious of the larger ballet drawings. Good arrangement, movement and lighting, combine in achieving a lovely impression of graceful form and atmosphere. "Im- pression" is another to catch that essential feeling of grace- ful movement, the free treat- ment aerving a very excellent pugoe;Ciee drawings have better 'quality and are much more enjoyable than either "Bodeen Dancer" or "Spanish Dancer." Many of the amidl im- pressions from the ballet made complete little pictures in themselves, though almost in the miniature size. The landscapes on show do not reveal the artist's best work-he appears happier with flower pieces and ballet and in "Ebb Tide" and " White Gums " the impact is too thin. and such works lack conviction. With "Gladioli," Mr. Nicholas makes a charming drawing. It is fresh, luminous, and broadly treated. " Flower Piece " is also a good one. The colour is simple, but very effective. "Red Gum" I found too tight and formal. On the other hand. the little "Blossoms" has a very different quality and sensitive feeling.-JAMS WIENEKE. IVersatile Painting TWENTY-SIX oil paintings by Athol Nicholas are on show from today in the More- ton Galleries. Landscalie, street scenes and still life re= veal the versatility of Mr. Nicholas in a show of work somewhat different from that of his last exhibition. "Les Sylphides" has grace:A and sensitive charm. It suc- cessfully conveys the ballet atmosphere with small figures before the tall curtain. A very free sketch is "Queensland Landscape," ejving a sound impression of hills and distance. Another good impression is "PoenieS." colourful too though managed with restraint. "Gympie Landscape" is full of light. The old houses, road and distance are admirably painted. "Steglitz" also makes a strong bid for recognition. The weaknesses of both, I think, are in their respective foregrounds. "Roses" will be a popular choice, and the tranquil -Chan- nel. Moreton Bay." is a fresh little sketch in grey. Mr. Nicholas strikes an entirely different note from anything else in the show with "Dayboro La ndsca pe."-JAMES WIENEKE. Merit Vories1 1ln Art Show' Two well-known Sydney artists, Noel and Nancy Kilgour, open a show of landscape and figure - work in oil and water colours at the Moreton Galleries today. This show is n very mixed collection and I regret to say. one in which the artists are not doing Justice to them- selves. I say this for two reasons. The first is that the quality of the work varies too much, and then, far too many pictures suffer because of unsuitable frames. I think this is a great pity, as such conditions must %cry seriously handicap any exhibition. One of Nancy Gilgour's most successful pictures is "Street Corner: a sensitive .quality of light has been achieved here. and it Is a very fresh thing. nicely handled. With "Swinging," I am afraid all sense of movement has been lost, and "Spring Paddocks" is without any vitality. Very much happier are the decorative "London Park," "Low Tide," and the broad "Bush Landscape." Noel Kilgour has a delight- fully interesting little oil of elephants, in "Circus Back- yard," and with "Seaside Fete" captures much fir the atmosphere round the side- show booths. Whatever attraction "Trapeze Artiste" might possess, the dark and cumbersome frame frowns too gloomily on any- one venturing near the lady on the trapeze. Of the water colours I like best "Double Bay," the ap- proach being confident and the colour clean. The sensitive "Tethered Calf" and "Gantry" will also appeal. JAMES WIENEKE.