Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Friday 26 October 1945, page 20


CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS' SHOW

Reviewed by ALAN McCULLOCH

The novelty of earlier exhibitions of art groups such as the Melbourne Contemporary Artists (dissentient faction of original Contemporary Art Society) having been alleviated by the many recent exhibitions of simi-lar flavour, they depend for their interest on the extent of the applica-tion of contemporary art expression to contemporary life and thought. But in the present exhibition at the Athenaeum the prevalent attitude is technical and often imitative, and the responsibility of maintaining the former standard is left to a small minority.

This includes stone carvings by Clive Stephen, who has a rare tactile sense; "Yacht Club" and "The Family," by Constance Stokes, strongly designed and sensitively modelled; and four pictures by Alan Sumner, who could, however, add to his great possibilities by developing a more refined sense of colour and tone values.

Also worthy of note are works by Margery Rankin, Phil Waterhouse, and Eveline Syme. Rupert Bunny, George Bell, and Russell Drysdale help to elevate the general standard. Closes November 3.