Evening star., 1938-05-15

only echoues others Is a bore, but In
all probability such q one has no
thoughts Of his own. All those who
have individuality, much less creative
ability. will express themselves, un-
consciously. when opportunity for ex-
preston comes their way-it is un-
avoidable. But the chief factor, and
necessity, is to have something to say
and to be able to say 1t clearly, UNDER
standably. ef1ectively-and, if possible,
beautifully. This is art. Unfortunately,
In the present day this seems to have
been forgotten. with the result that we
have much foggy production. indica-
tive of befuddled thinking. let alone
incompetent craftsmanship.
This general and disturbing trend Is
manifested IN the exhibition sent to
this country by the Senefelder Club Of
London and now on exhibition in the
Arts Club of this city. The artists are
without question competent in this in
stance, but much of their work Is
evasive-they seem to have little or
nothing to say. Their apparent preoc-
cupation is with their own artistry,
with which. alas, they get nowhere,
surrendering. so far as the public Is
concerned their prerogative of leader
ship. This is disturbing, the more so
when that for which this club formerly
stood and the distinction Of the work
done by its members in past years is
recalled.
OF course there are exceptions
notable ones. Ethel Gabain, for ex-
ample. in her portrait Of Mrs. Yu San
Tao and her two other contributions,
La Venetienne" and 1.-TWO Black
Bows" has something to say and says
it well-extraordinarily well-as not
only accomplished photographer but
artist. A. s. Hartrick's "Putney
Bridge" The Poacher" and THE
Sculptures" are excellent II not as
distinguished as earlier productions.
John Copley's Horses Turning for the
Canter," which was the Senefelder
print issued to associate members last
year, Is spirited and full Of action, not
a thing to be treasured, and his
Lac Leman" is strong as an essay
in chiaroscura. but q bit vague.
Brangwyn, who has always been q
master Of light and shade. Is repre-
sented by large prints setting forth
in striking contrasts of black and
white complicated compositions In
cluding numbers Of 11gurestone Of
looters In q foreign land-the other
Of men carrying oranges.
Blampied and Bone, both most dis
tinguished etchers, are each twice
represented and show themselves mas
ters Of the lithographic crayon, as
well as the more subtle needle, but
in It's use more casual and less fe-
licitous.
Federal Architecture as Seen
In Current Exhibition
In the National Museum.
TIE exhibition set forth at this
time in the foyer OF the Ma
tional Museum. Tenth street and
Constitution avenue, by the Associ-
alton Of Federal Architects is both
pleasing and reassuring. Architecture
is without doubt the backbone of art,
and II it remains strong We can be
reasonably sure that the body is
healthy. It Is furthermore in the
field of architecture that. with all
our tendency to borrow from other
nations and the past, we, here in
America, have made our largest con-
tribution to the art Of the world.
This contribution, as one who fol-
lows development Of art scarcely
need be reminded, is In the design
Of the skyscraper, wherein the adap.