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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria University, Wellington N.Z. Vol. 22, No. 8. August 3, 1959

Sense and Sensitivity

Sense and Sensitivity

Few painters can make a full-time Job of their art in this country, but Peter McIntyre, this year's winner of the Kelliher Art Award has, and very successfully too.

Nevertheless, even he branches out in other directions—articles in the local newspapers, broadcasting and now he is writing an autobiography. This of course is not only sound financially, but good for public relations.

All along the line, he has been astute. His portraits were commissioned at about 50 guineas a time, then before there were too many of them, he was painting desert 'scapes and war pictures, then came landscapes.

No other New Zealander had the sense to go down to the Antarctic. But Peter McIntyre had two summers there, painted many good pictures, has not finished yet, and plans a tour through Australia and the United States.

And all that indicates that more artists could do the same if they kept themselves before the public eye.

His painting which won the £500 award, was of a Dunedin corner on a Sunday afternoon, and showed citizens strolling around the streets. Maybe that was feeling and accurate representation, but it was also common sense.

Practically all the other landscapes in the Kelliher exhibitions have been devoid of any animal or human life.

Nobody, including Mr McIntyre, was to know that the judge would be Mr W. Dargie, a successful Australian portrait painter, but Mr McIntyre realised what was lacking, and took advantage.

New Zealand artists may not follow his style or like his painting, may lack his charm, but as a group they could wake up to the reasons for his popularity. The country could support more like him.

—M.G.