Wieneke Archive Book 4a : Articles by James Wieneke Presscuttings

NOVEMBER 2, 1952 They don't all live The article in last week's Sunday Mail about artists in garrets and their luxury (?) wares was interest- ing, and to many, illuminating, but - Painting ie the very antithesis of luxury. is vital in any chi_ised community-if the deveop- ment of ideals, the recog- nition of beauty, the raj/e- lation of truth, and the de- sign and order of gracious living are considered neces- sary. Then the painters' art is a most significant link with Ithe past. The Cavemen, the Ifogarths, the Reynolds, the Goyas, the Constables, and numberless others have made the past an open book. Why they paint Many of the "odd fish" artists are numbered among the world's finest intellects as well as being men of foresight, ingenuity, and courage. Leonardo should be a grand example, or Michel- angelo. For what reason does a man paint? A man paints because he wants to paint. Because he is moved to give expression to his re- actions to nature, to his ideas, and to satisfy a creative urge which can be aeep and sensitive, or light-hearted and gay. The painter may live in a garret, too, but garrets can be charming places. In any case, he has the courage of his convictions and lives ac- cording to his means, some- times lean indeed. The Research Bureau con- cluded that. not 20 artists in this country could support themselves by sale of paint- ings. This is wide of the mar The following men We not only be able to, o, earn their living by e hard work of painting aura - Dargie, Dobeli BSolomon, March. Smith Wheeler, Jackson, Buckmas- ter, Lindsay, Feint, Sher- man, Johnson, Eldershaw Bernaldo, Goodchild, Rees Holism Loxton, Herman Baker, Ragless, and Rowell. There are more, and at east 50 artists are painting and teaching others to paint. Such 'men are Meidrum, Townshand, Beadlft Hele, Nakelin, Veal. antrilio on. Net all "pricy" You really can purchase a Drysdale without relieving vdurself of that 300 guineas, too. The 1953 exhibition by the Macquarie Galleries in Brisbane catalogued a very fine Drysdale, "Aboriginal Boy and Landscape" of considerable size, for 160 tintless. Quite a saving on in garrets the lounge room aesthetics. Reference was made to the enormous sum of £48,000 paid by the Felton Bequest, Mel- bourne, last year for a Rem- brandt. Well, that's a nice little cheque for old England. Countries have often rea- lised on their masterpieces of painting when they needed cash. A survey from the 12th century (the birth of mod- ern ;art), reveals the enor- mous importance of the ar- tists - painters, sculptors, musicians, and writers. Countless wealthy, af- fluent people of importance In their day, have now been forgotten for ever. Yet time adds a glorious patina of lustre and honour to the name and enormous value to the work of an artist. Odd fish or jewels? -JAMES WIENEKE,, Bris- bane. -- -