WienekeArchiveBook1

Painters is still apparent in his pictures, and, in the figure work. the palette and handling echo much of Nor- man Lindsay. though the feel- ing is entirely different. He reveals great interest in the swift movement of figures. interpreting directly and cleanly with strong col- our and vigorous drawing. Naturally he is not always successful, but at least he knows what he wants to say and does so with a good deal of conviction. It should be very interesting to watch the development of such an artist experimenting and working in various media, with interest in a wide variety of subject matter and equip- ping himself well technically. Most of the portraits are dominated by simplicity of de- sign and feeling for character; well expressed in the little water colours. "Detail From a, Painting," "Head of a Girl." and "Portrait In the English Manner," "Noella" appealed. too, as far as has been taken. A little further attention could have turned this one into a beautiful work. "Point Ormond" exhibits much of the Impressionists' re- action to form, and it is a very successful thing. If you wish to see it fairly, do not make ;the mistake of standing too close. "HAMPTON SEASCAPE" " nearly got3 there. it ap- pears to be somewhat incon- sistent, however, in the passage to .the left along the water line. "r)ANSE MACABRE" shows -A- the artist's reaction in a: large water colour to a wild evening of boisterous dance, in which he has managed a riot of colours and movement under the influence of modern jazz, and clashed with the painter's philosophy. Action is again swiftly con- veyed in "Jitter -Bug Contest," massing of pattern, colour and form with interest and excite- ment being well controlled in the broad aspecLs. The three-quarter length "Nude" in oil and of warm col- ours also has much to com- mend it. Possessing fine design Fine PEontise And Livelq Painting- OPENING at the Moreton Gallery today is an exhibition of oils, water colours and drawings by a young Melbourne artist, Wesley Penberthy, who exhibits here for the first time. His work shows distinct promise and has a lively interest. 1HE influence of various and a lovely quality, it holds the promise of unusually good figure work to come, "Vanity" 'has not this su-cess. Sensitive drawings and inter- esting pieces of pottery are in- cluded in the ,xhibition.- JAMES WIENEKE. Interesting Show By Two Victorian Painters MISS PHYL WATERHOUSE and Mr. Charles Bush, two of the younger Victorian painters, have a show of 24 works (oils and two water colours) opening today at the Moreton Gallery. jT is an interesting show, somewhat mixed, but with definite signs that these two amits are tackling the job with energy. sincerity and ability. The work of Miss Water- house has a delightful honesty and charm about it. Her "Col- lins Street Doorway" is a beau- tiful little painting, almost a study in warm greys and very satisfying in composition; sensitive thing, freely painted and in addition. admirably framed. Though "Butler's Steps" has been often painted. Miss Waterhouse sees this difficult composition from another view point, and. manages it with considerable success. "Peony Roses" is a vigorous and colourful flower piece, not helped. however, by the base of the bowl being cut by the frame. Nine times out of 10 this gives an unsatisfactory result. The artist's reputation is not enhanced by "Sea and Coast," and "Church Near King's Cross," though ambitious. leaves something to be desired in sky and foreground. Much better are "Huila Landscape." "Wintery Street" and "Western District"-all invested with quality of colour and feeling. Mr. Bush paints a very sets- . shire and restrained picture in "Altona Beach." It is in a high key. but conveys a good impression of the deserted beach. low in the composition beneath an elusive sky. The portrait of "Phyl" has an tinusual lighting effect con- centfated on the countenance. There is a fine rhythmical feeling about this work and the gorgeous red hat completing an arrestingly rich design. Had only a few more penetrating Louise: been added to hair and eyes-this might well have been a most successful and original portrait. The "Seated Nude" seemed to lack good texture of the flesh, and though the figure a as strongly modelled on a warm ground, it was not suc- cessfully arranged. A highly dramatic feeling has been powerfully painted' into "Facade of Bombed Chinese House." It is a deep and vivid interpretation. "Tarwin River" (water colour', has an easy, direct; fluency and very successfully, captures the green grey light I seen in the far south of Aus- tralia. The interest is in the distance and middle distance. without any weakening of the comparatively simple fore- ground-usually a difficult Aug to do well.-JAMES WIENEKE.