International studio (54.1914/1915)

Studio-Talk

POSTER DESIGN BY J. SIMPSON, EXECUTED IN WOOD BY A. J. ROWLEY (ROWLEY
GALLERY)


in plenty, plain and otherwise, often with elaborately
carved cornices, but there is scope yet for design
in coloured woods and veneers. Such an idea,
carried further, is at the root of the departure
made by Mr. A. J. Rowley in producing his
permanent wall pictures, examples of which are
reproduced here. These pictures are made up of
various pieces of wood, well chosen for colour and
grain or prepared with dyes to suit the subject.
When fitted together the surface may be polished
and the panel, like a hatchment, is kept in con-
dition from time to time by this means. It will
be readily understood that craftsmen can produce
single designs, or that pictures may be multiplied
for the purpose of general distribution. It is the
latter use of the idea which comes within the
range of this article. Pictorial advertisements in
various woods have a permanence which is very
desirable and which is not given to the printed
poster. Mr. Rowley’s panels can be fixed or
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portable, and for places
not exposed to the
weather they have great
possibilities. They are,
of course-, decorations as
well as posters, and can
be used with or without
lettering.
The ideal poster is that
in which artistic merit is
allied to commercial
utility. Glancing at the
work of recent years there
will be found evidence
that artists and adver-
tisers, “useless each
without the other,” have
formed a bond of union
to promote business. It
is an unofficial bond,
elastic and variable; but
the two interests have
been found to combine
well and the time may
come when all posters
will conform to the
highest standard of
decoration. This object
has been achieved to a
limited extent already,
and as the public grows
more and more critical it
is not likely that the
movement will be re¬
tarded. There is no reason why the “ poor man’s
Picture Gallery ” should not appeal to every one.
STUDIO-TALK.
(From Our Own Correspondents.)
LONDON.—At a time like this when war with
all its horrors occupies so much of our
attention from day to day and all day, it
—J is gratifying to find that art has not been
thrust wholly into the background—in England at
all events. Though some of the exhibitions which
were to have been held this winter according to
arrangements made before the outbreak of war
have been cancelled or postponed, the principal
fixtures of this kind both in London and in the
chief provincial towns have been carried out
pursuant to the programme, and those responsible
are to be commended for thus affording a means