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Slums And Romanticism In Sydney Artists' Show "THERE is strong contrast of both styles and subject matter, between the work of Alannah Coleman and Arthur' Evan Read, two Sydney artists, who together show 19 pictures (oils and drawings) at the Moreton Galleries. THE exhibition is being opened penred to be covered by an' this afternoon. !embarrassed blush at the Most of Mr. Read's works thought of discarding her have been painted from the second last star. slum streets of Sydney. He has, "The Garden" makes a very a rich sense of colour, makes sensitive drawing, and "Night - his statements with clear force-Iscape" possesses' a quiet colour fulness. and finds great interest scheme.-JAMES WIENEKE. In the pattern, light and atm- sphere surrounding the archi- tecture and streets of Burry TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1949 Hills and Darlinghurst. The spirit of these back streets is admirably painted into "Little Smith Si reet;" this rich collection of walls and roofs beneath a typical, smoke -laden sky, and ap- proached through on excellent foreground make a very fine work-even though the first big windows in the wall on the extreme right arrest a little too sharply." "Northern Street" is also a good picture. It has a dramatic quality, and the feeling has seen well sustained. Atmosphere and contrast tieminate "Nightmare Alley." There is a subtlety and mystery through these diffused shadows and the night sky. The build- ings in the centre of the com- position seem too strongly painted, however. Charming Simplicity VERY different is the little "Girl in Cafe." There is a elmming simplicity about this beautiful sketch, suggested, more than painted, over a pen and ink foundation. The work of Miss Coleman is changing,' and a number of her pictures are very different , from those in her lust show; here. There is sensitiveness and a strong feeling of roman -I ticism through much of her' painting. "Siamese Cat" Is. I believe, her best picture, and she makes an excellent Job. As a painting of a cat, it is rather unique, because Miss toietnau has invested the We- iner with a quality one could definitely describe as feline. This is conveyed through detail such as the cold blue and those long, slender, moving leaves in the background- eloquent of a chilly rest:ess, ness. There is very fine texture in the head; and the whole work has good relationship of line and balance. also a nice little touch of humour. Imagine a cat with such dignity, so close to a plate of fish. "Yass" is another story. The composition struggles and the colour is inclined to be raw. Vast expanses of this ye:low green are indeed difficult to handle. There Is restraint and charm in "Etude," with the colourful i fruits and grey ground. 7The !Fairy Undressing" ap t. - 4 BRISBANE TELEGRAPH, ' Czech Student's One -Man' Show I)AINTINGS of interest and with considerable change of colour, technique and feel- ing from anything we have seen here -ecently, will be on show today at the Moreton Galleries. The artist is a Czechoslovakian; Richard Werner, now living and continuing his studies In Brisbane. Apparently he is not yet attracted to the Australian !cene as the pictures depict peasants, landscape and un- happy wartime impressions of his homeland. The paintings have been carried out in a very dry method of water colour, and under such influences . as Cubism. Abstractionism, Sur- realism and Realism, with. however a distinct note of in- dividualism and accompanied by appreciation of form and a keen sense of colour and design. Amongst the interesting pic- tures Richard Werner exhibits are the very attractive "Old Warsaw," the gentle "Flute Player." and the bold "Relaxa- tion" where fine solidity is achieved. "Night Walkers"' oossesses good characterisation -you can be sure those ques- tionable gentlemen conceal a dagger or two. I could not find any enthusi- asm for such stuff as "Night, Watch." But "Seeking the. Sties" and "Fight Against Evil", have good pattern and colour.. though perhaps it requires t'< I stronger digestion for the! tatter. Others with interesting are "Market Pla"e " "Condemned" and "Czech. Considering the number of students' "one-man .shows" we have witnessed lately, I am more convinced than ever that. for the benefit of all con- cerned, students would be well advised to hold small group -howl of this work-say four tr five young artists together, each offering only his very bell. is almost Impossible for the art student with a few short rears of study to meet the de mends and high degree of, 'futility a one-manAhow should oossess.-JAMES WIENEKE.