Arts and Crafts at Artides

By Sharon Crosbie.

The Artides Gallery exhibits anything that con be classified as arts and crafts. The objects d'art on display vary from oil-paintings by artists as well known as Stewart McLennan, Director of the National Gallery, to hand-made tapa-cloth which threatens to disintegrate at the slightest touch.

Beween these extremes there are abstract wood-sculptures, clay figures over-laid with bronze (an interesting example being "Longbod" which has to be seen to be believed—not with a hangover). There is a very wide range I of pottery and ceramics all for sale at reasonable prices.

The best paintings on display at the moment include nn interesting treatment of Aotea Quay by Juliet Peter, done in shades of blue and brown. The reflection of light is very interestingly treated and the whole work captures the feeling of those rare windless fine mornings sometimes experienced.

E. Mervyn Taylor's on narrow woodcut of a standing nude (illustrated) once again represents the versatility of this well-known artist. Although this is only a small work it is very finely executed. Also on display is a group of early woodcuts used In the School Journals of previous years, depicting Maori scenes.

Those artists undaunted by not gaining a place in the National Bank Art Contest have brought their work along to the Gallery, no doubt in order to try again, but this somehow seems to lower the tone of the whole, as one wonders for how many more years these paintings will be dragged round the various galleries.

The Gallery will exhibit the work of any artist provided It reaches a certain standard: this costs nothing and there Is a fair chance of selling.

The whole display is worth a visit because there is such variety.