WienekeArchiveBook1

It' PAINTERS ADHERE TO CONVENTIONS Of the two art shows opening today, one at Finney's and the other at Moreton Galleries, prac- tically all the work is in conventional vein. The show by Dudley Wood at 'he Moreton will appeal to thel ;entre] public largely on ac- zuunt of the pleasant finish and technique of the work, and that I am afraid contains the germ if its weakness; too much con- ilderation has been given to surface appearance of things. and less to do it (with the onnuinted wash); all charming tc a degree, and beloved of painters of fantasy. But tech- nique can never compensate, If insufficient has been extracted from the subjrxt. The creation of good pic- tures demands thought; in , fact better paintings would result if artists devoted 80 Ivrcent of the picture paint- ing time to thought, and 20 percent to brush work. Of course hand and eye must be trained to bt the obedient servants, but undoubtedly the mind Is really the source, and that is the only place from which good painting can emerge, However, Mr. Wood offers strong evidence .hat deeper appreciation will be more pro- nounced in fu:ure work and shows some enjoyable pictures now. Among them are the beautifully simple and sensitive little -Road," the broadly handled "Tweed River," "Road to coolangnita," "Dairy Maid," 'Desert Scrub" and the decora- tive and romantic "Old Or- chard " Good Works A number of well-known southern artists are exhibiting oil pictures at Finneys. In quality this is a mixed collec- tion and includes a supply of mediocre works as well as some very good canvases. There are two fine pictures oy Robert Johnson, a sea piece and a landscape-both of these are beautiful paintings and very satisfying. Haywood Veal shows a num- ber of slight impressions- some of them, very slight in- deed. The best is "Dusk, Collins St.," and it is good, A rich feast of colour is very capably set down in N. Baker's "Hollywood Bells," and makes a striking flower piece. Spark- ling, but subtle greys give lovely charm to Erik Tanker's little "Middle Harbour," H. Pugmire, H. Henke and John Snlvana also show Interesting wink, the large Salvana being one of the best of this painter's works I have seen for some time.-JAMES WIENEKE. SWITCH TO THREE "H's" COMMENDED "We hear less today about the three 'R's,' and more about the three 'H's'-the hand, the head end the heart," said the Director -General of Educa- tion (Mr. L .D. Edwards) when he opened the Youth Art Exhibition at the Moreton Galleries this morning. "Our modern scheme of edu- cation centres more around the physical, intellectual and aes- thetic aspects of life," he added. Many Australians, said Mr. Edwards, thought that too much importance had been placed on the physical capacity Ed our young people, but the development of their intellec- some very promising and orig- tual capacity had never been inal examples of both. The Deflected. tendency is toward still life, landscape, seascape, and build- ings, with now and again a courageous attempt at figure work, revealing appreciation of form and good observation. I could not find anyone inter- ested in animal painting, but one young artist used symbols in an unusual way. Again I regret, more draw- ings have not been included in such a show, and would advise all young artists to work at On the other hand, aesthetic training had had great diffi- culty in establishing itself. Mr. Edwards expressed ap- preciation of the exhibition, end the hope that our national culture would be raised by the encouragement of young artists. Encouraging to Young Artist Uto them is valuable and should receive great consideration. Obviously, some students have had considerable training and show advanced work, whilst others are young begin- ners, earnest and eagerly hope- ful. The paintings are in oil and water colour, and there are the and study of drawing, en- deavouring to master form- even though they are, natur- One of the highlights of the ally enough, so very interested Annual Youth Week cele- in colour. However, draughts -,I 'nations is the Youth Art manship is an essential, the' Exhibition, mportance of which must not Such exhibitions are encour- be neglected. awing and interesting, and we sill should see this show, for here are enthusiastic, keen young people, from 12 to 25 years of age, in various stages of development, res riding And If one learns to draw with the point, then drawing and painting with the brush will fellow. It must not be forgotten that values and char - gladly to an invitation to snow Rorer must also be searched their pictures. The experience or. -JAMES WIENEKE. 4 BRISBANE TELEGRAPH, MONDAY, SEP. lit, 1919