Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Tuesday 14 November 1950, page 5


SYDNEY ART SHOW IS 'ST/Mf/L4T/]VG'

Bv ELlZAItETU YOUNG

The Exhibition 'Sydney Art To-day,,' brought to Brisbane by the Macquaric Galleries of Sydney, and opening to-day at Finney's Gallery, catalogues 34 names, including some of the most outstanding in

present-day Australian art. For some years Sydney has acted like a magnet attracting artists from all over Australia, and this exhibition forms a most stimulating collection. It hould not be missed by anyone alive to current arl .hought. There are some pictures tvhich will perhaps give rise to controversy — 'The Perilous Room,' No. 19, a carefully painted piece of sur-realism by James Gleeson; the decorative -Three Drums,' No. 16, by Donald Friend; Cedric Flower's 'Composition,' No. 14, and delightfully amusing 'Cheese Factorv Tilba Tilba.' No. 15.

Roland Wakelin, Lloyd Rees and George F. Lawrence are 2ach represented by three fine landscapes. A .personal choice would be Wakelin's 'North Byde,' No. 50, Lloyd Rees' 'The Road to the Summit, Mt. Saddleback.' No. 40, and No. 27, 'Landscape, Ryde,' by George Lawrence. Sulitlc picture Jack Carington Smith, ever sensitive in his use of greys, is represented by two charming impressions of the Derwent ? River. 'Yachts on the Derwent' is a most subtle little picture. There's a clean gaiety about the landscapes of Elaine Haxton, and a brooding strength In 'Port Kcmbla,' No. 36. by Deslderius Orban. In the little 'Landscape.' No. 32, Sidney Nolan succeeds in jonyeying the sense of neverjnding desert, and Douglas Watson in 'Farm Cove,' No. 52. makes significant use of black Dn grey. Delight in colour 'The Poet and Claudia,' by Jean Bellette, strongly designed, rich in colour is a distinctive canvas, and Grace Cossington Smith both in the little 'Wild-flowers' and 'Door into the Garden' shows the impressionist's sheer delight in colour. Other important artists represented include Rupert Bunny, JDouglas Dundas. George Duncan, Adrian Flint, Arthur Murch, Justin O'Brien. Thea Proctor, and Enid Cambridge. Additional interest is given the exhibition by the loan of William Dobell's fine canvas, 'The Prima Donna in the Box ' and Russell Drysdale's 'Por-

.rait of Margaret Olley,' and 'Boy Racing with a Dog.' In folio there is also a fine :ollection — through which art overs may browse — of drawings ind watercolours by Donald friend, Jack Carington Smith, lean Bellette, and others. The exhibition will remain )pen until November 25.