HDG-Artists  FIRST ANNUAL ART EXHIBITION
From the 3rd to the 18th September 1941.
[As reported on page nine of The Brisbane Telegraph Newspaper Wednesday 3rd September 1941]


HALF DOZEN GROUP ART EXHIBITION
It is with a shock of pleased surprise that one enters the City Hall Art Gallery, where the Half Dozen Group is holding its first annual exhibition, to be officially opened tomorrow afternoon by the Governor (Sir Leslie Wilson).
For the exhibition, the prosaic gallery entrance has been transformed into a lounge in which real artistic taste is the keynote.
Looking across the lounge, past bowls of real flowers, one is struck by the excellent, choice of three bright flower paintings on the far wall, the pictures and the real blossoms enhancing each other.
Each of the ten members of the group is exhibiting work of a high standard, and quantity and variety are as much a keynote as quality.
Mrs. Mona Elliott's flower studies are striking for the beauty of colour and the elusive quality of light they display.

POTTERY BOWLS
Aboriginal designs are featured in an attractive collection of pottery bowls and dishes made from Redcliffe clay by Mrs. Elliott. Calling her work decorative water colours, Miss Doreen Harris has chosen an apt title for her delicate and imaginative pattern painting.
No less than 40 exhibits by Mr. L. J. Harvey are included, each piece a delight. Especially attractive are his spinning chairs. Marble carvings, heads in wood, and panels, table and mirrors are included in his work.
A sunlight effect is well caught by Mr. James Wieneke in a water colour, 'By the Sea,' and 'Light Before the Storm' catches the same idea of clear light.

VERSATILE EXHIBITOR
Most versatile of the exhibitors, Mrs. E. Lilian Pedersen is displaying illuminated hand lettered books, illuminated poems, Australian verse sheets, a series of 'sanguine drawings', book bindings and hand loom weaving.
Norwegian patterns have been used in the hand-woven curtains, which with their harmonious colour blending
would enhance any room. The book binding and illumination is well up to Mrs. Pedersen's high standard of Work.
Photographic in the perfection of detail are the pencil drawings by Mr. Lloyd Rees. 'Evening Light,' 'Ferry's Bay, Sydney,' and 'The Orange Groves at Kurrajong' show this quality of fine drawing.
With 16 oil paintings on view, Mr. Frank Sherrin is exhibiting his best work so far shown. Tree studies, architectural
and industrial pieces predominate, two of his best being 'St. Ann's and All Hallows Gateway' and 'Seaside Trees’.
Needlework by Miss Rosalie Wilson reaches a very high standard in craft work. She uses original designs, in which aboriginal and wartime motifs predominate.

THE MODERNS
The 'moderns' are represented by Miss Anne Ross and Mr. L. G. Shillam, and their work is stimulating and provocative, even if it may not be generally appreciated.
Personally, I find the decorative panels by Miss Ross extremely clever, and like especially her 'Hornbills' and 'Ballet,' which have a quality all their own.
Of Mr. Shillam's work I am not so sure, because I admit I do not understand it. The line of the carvings, and particularly of his 'Horse' can, however, be fully appreciated without associating oneself entirely with the tenets of 'abstraction in art.' according to which the artist is working. This abstraction is shown in his watercolours and oils.
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The exhibition will remain open till September 18, and the proceeds will aid the Red Cross Appeal. — M. de V.G.