Page 22 - Studio International - March 1967

experience I have found that the true creative spark is also the Universities of Reading (Fine Art) and Bristol terial and people between one country and another.'
found in the very intelligent student, who, in most and Liverpool (Architecture). Karma-Sigma is setting up a shop, puppet theatre
schools, is not even allowed to approach our nets or Yours, etc. and clubroom at 20 Gosfield Street, W.1, an art
even swim in the same seal Peter Thursby gallery and showroom in Stratford Place, a studio/
Whilst it is obviously desirable to change this situa- Head of Art Department workshop in Maida Vale, and a centre in Cheshire
tion, nevertheless at least for the time being (and Sculptor and N.S.A.E. Council which will be equipped with studios, theatre, etc.,
perhaps permanently) Colleges of Artshould consider member 1963-66 and these facilities will be open to club members.
accepting candidates of high intellectual calibre, Hele's School 'As a club, it can supply its members with raw
who have an interest in and enthusiasm for art; but Southam materials for their projects at a very low cost by
who have not pursued a specialist study of art in the Exeter buying in bulk. As individuals, each member has all
Sixth Form. The precedents for this are well proven, the resources of the Club's marketing system at his
since University Departments of Law, Psychology, The Ascendancy of London or her disposal. There will be a gallery where mem-
Sociology and Agriculture have all followed this bers' paintings can be hung fora limited period and at
principle. Students of this category will not consider Dear Sir, a modest charge, irrespective of their price.'
this course of action as the status of the Dip. A.D. Mr Wood's rousing letter (Studio International,
stands today, to all intents and purposes, an inferior February 1967) almost made me reach for my Union 'Reaction'
option. Essentially, my argument throughout is that Jack waistcoat-I was restrained, however, because I
Art Colleges must be populated by students best knew it to be untrue. From March 12-18 an exhibition of paintings by a
equipped to profit from the opportunities offered, not Something seems to happen to major art movements small number of senior students of the Royal
by second-rate intellects or University rejects or social when they reach Britain; they don't just become Academy Schools is being held at the International
misfits. Only then can the claim be justifiably made anglicized, they are watered down. Perhaps the Students House, Park Crescent, London, W.1. Con-
for the inclusion of art education within the university atmosphere has seeped in from our depressingly certs by the Royal College of Music Contemporary
system. The rare but highly talented student who has moist climate. Music Society are being given in the evenings, to-
for some reason or other not been fortunate enough Although in terms of the interested gallery addict and gether with dramatic performances by the Central
to equip him or herself with these G.C.E. requirements young student this has the advantage of making the School of Speech and Drama. This enterprise is
should not be exluded from ,a professional training most significant art ideas more easily digested, it called 'Reaction', and all the performed works will be
as an artist or designer but would simply qualify for a also means that though better mannered and less original compositions or productions written by the
non-granduate award. aggressive than their Continental or American students. The paintings, which are large, are in the
At Hele's School we have attempted to conquer origins, by lacking in toughness, irony or scale of same hall as the evening performances and cohere
some of these problems. Students have in recent idea much British art also lacks stature. Few British into a group not adequately represented as such in
years gained direct entry to the Slade School, Royal artists that have dined on the works of the originators the comprehensive student exhibitions held at
College of Art (Industrial Design) Art Colleges, and have gained strength from it. Burlington House.
It might be that the reference to the various genera-
tions of artists who have their contact in the art Contemporary Italian art
73 years ago schools holds the key to the problem. in Edinburgh
Are our artists part-time teachers orpart-time artists,
and does the art school teaching structure lead to yet A major exhibition of contemporary Italian art is being
another manifestation of the British cult of the shown from March 14 to April 7 at the Richard
amateur? Demarco, Edinburgh. Previously shown at the Art
I would like to think that it does not, and in common Gallery, Belfast, the exhibition was organized by
with so many others who are concerned with art Palma Bucarelli of Rome's Galleria Nazionale d'Arte
education I would like to believe in the ascendancy of Moderna. It concentrates on certain aspects of con-
British art education. I am quite sure that only by temporary Italian movements, and excludes older
being honest with ourselves and realistic about our artists with the exception of Burri, Capogrossi and
strengths can we escape the stifling effects of Fontana, some of whose works are being shown to
parochialism. demonstrate historical developments. Among artists
Yours faithfully, represented are Adami, Alviani, Baj, Boriani,
Neville Weston Colombo, Ceroli, Costa, Tacchi and Turcato. The
Principal Lecturer in Art works are loaned by the Galleria Nazionale.
Padgate College of Education
Warrington New London gallery
Lancashire A new gallery, 'Circle', has been opened at 455
Fulham Road, S.W.10, by Mr Zermatip, who formerly
Karma-Sigma ran the St Martin's Gallery. The premises are being
'That the masses prize pictures more than the classes, extended so that the gallery can show the work of
the enormous number of frame-makers' shops in poor A complex organism called 'Karma-Sigma', with younger British sculptors. Among exhibitions already
districts might serve to prove. That their taste is not headquarters planned in Stratford Place, London, is scheduled for the gallery are Millich, Peter Ibbetson,
admirable, a study of the delectable achievements in beginning to function after prolonged initial planning. Alfredo Viani, and a group of Primitives.
colour or line exhibited in the windows to tempt them The organization's aim, according to one of its state-
shows quickly enough; but gives a taste at all, it may ments, is 'to satisfy the needs of young people who Poste restante dept.
be educated.' From 'The Lay Figure Speaks' seek an environment in which it is possible to emote Two letters from a distinguished European museum
and create freely; invent, design, produce and market recently arrived at the Studio International office
exciting, new beautiful things, and have fun doing it. addressed-c/o Studio-to Mr Mallarmé and Mr
In the April issue "Work" ought to be enjoyable.... Its role is to provide Apollinaire, inviting them to submit work for a forth-
The April issue of Studio International will include an alternative environment to that which prevails, i.e. coming exhibition.
articles by William Lipke and Charles Harrison on the that which stifles, suppresses or restricts the indi-
emergence of abstract art in Britain between the vidual's need to express himself reasonably freely. Danish surrealists
wars and the response of painters and sculptors to Its role is to foster interest in this new environment
influences from abroad; an article on Blast by among educationalists, and to promote co-operation An interesting exhibition of work by Danish sur-
Margaret Tarratt; 'Vorticist Poetry with Visual Impli- with television companies and film distributors in realists is being held at St Catherine's College,
cations: A "Forgotten" Experiment of Ezra Pound', by producing interesting and informative features of an Oxford (until March 6) and at Exeter University
Bernard Rozran; Norbert Lynton on Malcolm Hughes' entirely new kind. Its major role in the future will be to (March 8-22). It includes collages by Steen Colding,
work; Robert Melville on Francis Bacon; and Frank establish an international and inter-personal commu- the Danish surrealist 'standard-bearer', and eight
Whitford on William Turnbull. nication network for the exchange of information, ma- other surrealists.