Contents Robert McDougall Art Gallery PO. Box 237 Christchurch New Zealand, Editoriol Letters Peter Lynn — Kitemoker Alon Peters Ayo Nokoyomo Ask yourself . when 5 the last time you read, beard or saw a review ofa c ft exhibition which critical- The NZ Society of Potters Inc. — ly analysed the exhibits both technically and aesthetically Post, Present ond Future to any depth, Why is it that reviews often merely catalogue work without offering anything more than a cursory overview, or, when criticalfaculties are extend— Whot Are We Going To Do Now”? ed, the item is released several weeks after the show’s completion? Are we expecting too much from the few who write NZ Society of Potters Exhibition about craft exhibitions ~— it’s an impossible task to expect depth of knowledge in the increasing field ofcraft —— or is their brieffar too narrow to allow them scopefor more Heolth Hozords — Ceromics than description? Ifavour the latter explanation, but a combination of both factors is probably more accurate NZSP Convention Guests What of a solution, or at least something towards a remedy? Certainly, lettersfrom craftsmen either through their guilds/societies or the Crafts Council itself, as the Croft oncl Architecture national body, recommending that the standard of New Zealand craft warrants more attention at a professional level in the media, would be a helpful beginning. Perhaps The Modern Bomb Shop suggestions could be made that students ofjournalism In this issue we bring you information and specialist crafts (ceramics in Dunedin, weaving in about guest artists at A Spoce Nelson. glass at Elam. for instance) be encouraged to the Conference; some reflections Thot Tolks about the NZ Society of Potters write for newspapers, magazines and radio. Should by its President, Sally Vinson; craftsmen and galleries: prepare press statements and some thoughts on the Commissions photographs explaining techniques and encouraging the contemporary pottery scene and eye to focus on particular details of interest. and invite its directions by Howard the media people to attend the occasional workshop, Williams; and comments on the Exhibition Reviews public seminar, or display of their craft? 25th National Exhibition of If thefunction of the critic is to be seen as one of simply NZSI’. Dinah Priestley takes a informing the public of an event, then probably this is look at the Wellington Christian Gollery News happening at a provincial level, but if thefunction is also Science Church which features a num inherently one of education both ofpublic and craftsmen )er of commissioned craftworks; Auckland architect Croft Notes alike, much more in quantity and quality needs to be Ron Sang gives his views on the undertaken if craft in New Zealand is to gain the recogni- process of commissioning; and tion it obviously deserves. Christine Ross has compiled Pesources some guidelit s on accepting Pamela Elliott commissions. The Memphis» Director inspired furniture ofjeremy Reynolds is featured. Compendium Gallery In the ne. issue (copy deadline 1 February 198-1) we will bring you news (of What ISSN: 0111-965X happened at Lincoln College; a look at five Auckland textile artists: at Ruth Castle's basketry: and at the Fibre and Form Cover: travelling exhibition. Peter Lynn with one of his kites. Photograph: Michael Langford. r, Conien’rs Robert McDougaiI Art Gallery PO Box 237 Christchurch New Zealand, Editorial Letters The Crafts Council office and gallery is now Peter Lynn — Kiiemaker IOCZIILL at: First Floor Algm Peters ~[times (look Arcade 1.:tmhton Quay \V’ELHNG’i‘ON Avg NQkQmQ Phone: “2"-()i8 Please use [’0 Box 498 for corres» The NZ SOCieTy Of POfieiS lflC‘ — ly analysed the exhibits both technically a7 pomcncc' POST, Preseni Ofld FUiUie to any depth. Why is it that reviews OFFICE BEARERS catalogue work without offering anythm . cursory overview, or, when criticalfacult l’rtCSIdcnt. : tintin 3115"“ , WhCii Are We GOlflg TO DO NOW? ed, the item is released several wee/es a \lce-pt‘esuient : Iony \\ iliiztms completion? 'I‘t'eusuref/Secretary : _lenn_\' Shearer Are we expecting too much from the NZ Society of Potters Exhibition STAFF about craft exhibitions — it’s an impossihl depth of knowledge in the increasingfie] Executive Director : Christine Ross _ - is their brieffar too narrow to allow them 3650”“? t‘t‘r : Philip Clark? H80 Hh HOZO ids CGiOm '08 than description? Ifavour the latter expl (flui'f‘i .I_)',FECI_“"' 3 WWW ”i‘frjs‘f“ combination ofbothfactors isprobably SLUkltllVUPISI : Sltntillt Mg [\il) NZSP Conveflflofl GUGSTS What of a solution, or at least someth EDITORIAL TEAM . remedy? Certainly, lettersfrom craftsmen . their guilds/societies or the Crafts Coun Jenny i’attrick. Suzy Pennington. Christine CiOfi Ofld ArChleCiure national body, recommending that the st R055. Philip Clill'kc- Zealand craft warrants more attention at Th let,el in. the media,. would be a helpful begz. SUBSCRIPTION, ADVERTISING and 9 Modern Bomb ShoIO suggestions could be made that students EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES and speczalzst crafts (ceramics in Duned A Space Thai Talks Nelson. glass at Elam, for instance) be Crafts Council ol‘ N7. write for newspapers, magazines and 1’0 BOX 493 craftsmen and galleries: prepare press 3 WELLINGTON Commissions photographs explaining techniques and e ADVERTISING RATES eye to focus on particular details of mte JI JI the media people to attend the occasio Full Colour page : '1. Exhibition Reviews (I; public seminar, or display of their craf Fl!“ Pails” ‘ 'Jv -- If thefunction of the critic is to be seen ”1*” Pilgk' (In informing the public of an event, then p gum?" 17“?!“ (la Gallery News in happening at a provincial level, but ifthe ()'mc'gl]th mg“ 1 '1. 1”,?”t one ofeducatzon bfflb Ofpubltc Classified advertising section: CiOfi NOTES alike, much more zn quantity and quali undertaken ifcraft in New Zealand is to g Craftmarkeh tion it obviously deserves. single column cm — minimum fl em: $2.30 - Resources Volume reduction for booking in five con- Pamela Elliott secutive issues: Director single column cm — minimum 5 cm: 53.00 Compendium Gallery DEADLINE FOR COPY FOR NEXT ISSUE 1 February 1984 ISSN: 0111-963X Design and Layout : Suzy Pennington . ’l'ypesetting 21nd , Cover: composition ; Computer Setters Peter Lynn with one of his kites. Printer : Roberts Print Ltd Photograph: Michael Langford. r, to children, So an art There are a lot of signposts in these and other not consider a student’s honest opinion, officially specialist is also a specialist responses. requested (and positive in in the art of teaching. The craft movement, for all its spectacular progress, is LETTERS its general tenor) as We sympathise with the EEWKDRVM. still a young one. The NZ Society of Potters is this year libellous. tenor of the article Editorial Team concerning the In his article in this issue, Howard Williams asks the celebrating 25 years of existence. The Crafts Council was Dear Editor 1. Why the above was not predicament in which established only seven years ago, yet it is now a profes— As we have no record of adhered to in the case of question ‘What are we going to do now?’. He is referr— such a highly specialised being approached by the the Otago Polytechnic Dear Editor ing specifically to the potters, but it is something that sional organisation, and the only one to receive ad— craftswoman as Melanie Editor of New Zealand School of Art. The I was interested in the ministrative funding. finds herself especially should be addressed in a wider context. The craft move- Crafts magazine about an Director or Head of Fine issues raised byJenny serve the interests of particular since she is one of our ex ment is at a stage where it needs to evaluate critically its The organisations which article on craft related Arts was not approached Pattrick in her article students. The only directions. Crafts are voluntary groups, running on the energy and courses available at the for comment. about Melanie Cooper and consolation that might be dedication of those who happen to be in office at the mo— School of Art, Otago would like to comment Politicians — and others — refer proudly to the 2. Who approached the offered is that with her Polytechnic. we are very upon some of her ment, and on the subscriptions of their members. Yet students concerned with excellent training she ‘tremendous growth in the crafts’, ‘the development angry and concerned to remarks. It is good that they have aspirations for the development of their craft the Otago Polytechnic would have little difficulty potential of the crafts’, ‘the social, economic and cultural find a potentially libellous recognition is given to the article? The normal in finding a job in contribution of the crafts’, and so on. I’ve even been which they are unable to fulfil through resource statement regarding this fact that many practising procedure for a balanced teaching, but this is not limitations. written by one of our first artists and craftsmen guilty of using such glib phrases myself. This is not to say public review would have what she wants to do. There is no shortage of bright ideas, of plans grandiose year DFA students in the been to ask the School of receive their initial that it’s not all true and not a matter of pride to us all — Alan Howie September/October issue Art involved to impetus from Teachers it is. and simple, which gives me that feeling of being on top Head of Department of your magazine. recommend students or College Art Departments, of a volcano. But how can we achieve it all? How can Wellington Teachers’ But I sometimes have this feeling that we are sitting on I would like to point out graduates as they saw fit to mt some explanation as to College top of a volcano.