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The B.C. Society of Fine Arts, at their
recent exhibition, demonstrated considerable vitality, and their
show was well attended by the art-loving public. As a whole it was pronounced
to be an advance on any previous event of the kind in the history of the society. Many
styles of painting were represented both in oils and water-color, about twenty-six
artists sending in pictures as members, while nineteen non-members were successful
enough to pass the selection committee with their contributions. The latter body had a
difficult duty to perform, and it is notorious that umpires fail to please
everybody. Some of the painters of rejected works were inclined to say that
pictures no better than their own found a place on the walls. It is to be remarked,
however, that members of this society are free from the criticism of the selection
committee up to the limit of five works. If they submit more than that number the
additional pictures place them in the same plight as the non-members since the
selection committee has apparently no option but to use their judgement in
choosing the most artistic five.
* * *
Among those whose pictures were sold were
W.P. Weston, B.C.A.,
Harry Hood, B.C.A.,
C.A. Ferguson, B.C.A.,
Grace Judge, B.C.A., and
H. Faulkner Smith, B.C.A.
Miss Edith Slinger exhibited some delightful
watercolors, several of which were secured by intelligent connoisseurs;
they were chiefly of English and continental scenes. "The Drinking
Pool," a picture of cows by Kate A. Smith
(Mrs. Frank Hoole), was much admired as a piece of brilliant animal
painting as well as for its landscape qualities. The same artist was seen
to some advantage in her watercolor "Shannon," a work full of glowing light
and color. In the fascinating line of garden landscape
C.H. Scott, B.C.A., had a couple of watercolours
that were full of summer sunshine and exhibited a technique at once masterly
and pleasing. In portrait work attention has already been called to
M. Margaret Wake's picture of an Indian woman, a
solidly painted piece of work. Victor A. Long's
lifelike portrait of General Stewart, placed that eminent railway builder
before the public in uniform with surprising fidelity. Another portrait
painter who exhibited was Nora Raine Southwell,
a rising young artist of considerable ability whose talent was seen at the
Westminster Fair in her portrait of Sir Arthur Currie,
a picture which might, without fear of criticism, be acquired by the city
of Victoria or by the government. Mr. John Kyle,
B.C.A., showed four landscapes of pleasing composition and showing a welcome
vigor of handling.
* * *
Two exhibits of artistic craft were shown, viz., some very interesting
specimens of weaving done by Mrs. Joan Goodall, B.C.A.,
on her own loom. These drapes were designed by herself. The same artist also
showed two decorative paintings of quaint and original beauty. The other exhibit
of craft work was a fire screen, the mahogany frame of which was designed and
made in the Burgess Beach workshops.
Mr. C.A. Ferguson, B.C.A., designed the embroidery,
which was sewn by his wife.
* * *
The meeting of the B.C. Art League on Wednesday evening
last was a great success. The audience was large and highly intelligent. There
was an atmosphere about it that be-tokened geniality and receptiveness, and
though the lecturer, Mr. F.W. Bernard, was evidently struggling with a severe
cold, he succeeded in deeply interesting his hearers in Spanish and Moorish
architecture, while his magnificent collection of slides proved an "eye-opener"
to many. There are signs that these lectures are taking their place among
the evening attractions of Vancouver, and the members of the league are doing
their best to second the exertions of their officers and executive. The short
musical programme that preceded the lecture on Wednesday was much enjoyed, and it (is)
hoped that something equally excellent in that line will be an item in future
meetings. It may be noted, by the way, that one of the most interested listeners
in Mr. Bernard's lecture was His Grace Archbishop Casey, himself an art
collector of much experience. Magistrate Shaw made an ideal chairman, and his
encouraging remarks with reference to the B.C. Art League were much appreciated.
* * *
The exhibition of Japanese art from the brush of Sekido Yoshida,
which opened Saturday in the B.C. Manufacturer's exhibition rooms, corner of Cordova and
Cambie Streets, was also an initial inauguration of the room in which the
B.C. Art League will shortly begin their permanent art gallery
of worthwhile paintings. Sekido Yoshida, painter of flowers and birds, was born
twenty-eight years ago in Tokyo, the ancient city of the Shoguns, now the capital of
modern Japan. At the age of 15 years he was sent to study art under Kampo Asaki, the
famous Japanese artist, and director of the Imperial Art Gallery. After the death of
his teacher, Mr. Yoshida studied under Professor Gyokdo Kawai, at the Tokyo Art
College. At the age of 21 he went to Kioto, to study under Seiho Takeuchi. Both
Professor Gyokdo and Seiho are well known to the readers of "The Studio," from the
many illustrations of their pictures which have appeared in that magazine. For five
years he remained in Kioto with Seiho and as is the custom in Japan, Mr. Yoshido
was granted by his master, as a mark of his esteem, a syllable of his name to
incorporate with his own, hence, Sekido, from Seiho. This custom dates back to the
early days of Japanese art. Artists of Japan have, besides their personalities,
an artistic name with which they sign their works and are known. The artistic name
also shows the school to which they belong and denotes the artistic descent of
the artist from master to pupil. Several artists, however, did not retain these names,
but changed them again and again, hence we have pictures painted by the same artist
under several names. Notorious among these was the celebrated print artist Hokusai.
* * *
At the beginning of this year Mr. Yoshida came to Vancouver with the object of
studying western art. He has been working with Mr. Charles A.
Ferguson for the past six months, and is leaving at the end of October to
visit the art centres in Eastern Canada and the United States. While in the east
he hopes to have exhibitions of his pictures in Toronto, New York and Boston.
Those who visited the Vancouver Exhibition at Hastings Park
were impressed by the two beautiful decorative panels the artist exhibited in
the Fine Arts building. He also exhibited two panels at the
exhibition of the B.C.S.F.A.. The
exhibition of Mr. Yoshida's work will be open all the week from 10 to 5.
* * *
In the near future three members of the league, Messrs.
Burgess Beach, Wilbert Rattray,
and D. Donaldson will begin their artistic craft
classes at their Pender street atelier. Design, wood carving and cabinet making
will be taken up. Enquiries respecting the Art League and
its activities may be addressed to the secretary, Casimir Dickson, 1121 Melville Street.
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