DOI Heft:
No. 41 (August, 1896)
DOI Artikel:Studio-talk
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17297#0189
Studio- Talk
Such is the aim and object of the Sheffield Art-
Crafts Guild, and it is not too much to say that
their exhibitions come not only as a suprise, but a
pleasure to many who have feared the old secrets
have been forgotten. Composed almost entirely
of men engaged in the varying manufactures of
the city, and whose work in consequence must be
to a great extent influenced by non-artistic con-
sumers, manufacturers may, or should be, par-
donably proud to feel that they are employing
craftsmen who can on occasion break away from
the stereotyped lines and indulge in art for art's
sake.
The second exhibition held by the Guild has been
in a great measure a success. It has shown that
however slow the movement may be it is steadily
advancing, and that however short of the goal in
WKOUGHT-1RON SCREEN
BY THOMAS TAYLOR
view, the results have proved that the general
influence has been for good. In another sense the
effort to bring the art-crafts of the district together
has been somewhat disappointing. With a Guild
such as this in its infancy it is too much to expect
it to be locally self-supporting, neither is it desir-
172
REPOUSSE COPPER PANEL. BY GEORGE HALLIDAY
able at the present stage that it should be so.
The introduction of outside works of a really high
character is helpful to the student to a degree—i.e.,
up to the point at which study ceases and imitation
begins. In years to come, no doubt, the Guild
will be strong enough to confine its exhibits to its
own district, but until then work from a distance
must not only be acceptable but considered as a
distinct gain. Such being the case, it should be
the duty of the executive to use the greatest care
in selection, to lead the student to a higher level
of thought and action rather than to confront him
with a degree of excellence which in his present
state he feels he can never hope to obtain.
In visiting provincial exhibitions of this character
one naturally expects to find a great proportion of
the exhibits confined to the industry for which
the locality is famous, and it was therefore some-
what disappointing to see that cutlery was so little
in evidence. That there is wide scope in this
direction will be admitted, and there is ample
proof of the existence of most delightful workman-
Such is the aim and object of the Sheffield Art-
Crafts Guild, and it is not too much to say that
their exhibitions come not only as a suprise, but a
pleasure to many who have feared the old secrets
have been forgotten. Composed almost entirely
of men engaged in the varying manufactures of
the city, and whose work in consequence must be
to a great extent influenced by non-artistic con-
sumers, manufacturers may, or should be, par-
donably proud to feel that they are employing
craftsmen who can on occasion break away from
the stereotyped lines and indulge in art for art's
sake.
The second exhibition held by the Guild has been
in a great measure a success. It has shown that
however slow the movement may be it is steadily
advancing, and that however short of the goal in
WKOUGHT-1RON SCREEN
BY THOMAS TAYLOR
view, the results have proved that the general
influence has been for good. In another sense the
effort to bring the art-crafts of the district together
has been somewhat disappointing. With a Guild
such as this in its infancy it is too much to expect
it to be locally self-supporting, neither is it desir-
172
REPOUSSE COPPER PANEL. BY GEORGE HALLIDAY
able at the present stage that it should be so.
The introduction of outside works of a really high
character is helpful to the student to a degree—i.e.,
up to the point at which study ceases and imitation
begins. In years to come, no doubt, the Guild
will be strong enough to confine its exhibits to its
own district, but until then work from a distance
must not only be acceptable but considered as a
distinct gain. Such being the case, it should be
the duty of the executive to use the greatest care
in selection, to lead the student to a higher level
of thought and action rather than to confront him
with a degree of excellence which in his present
state he feels he can never hope to obtain.
In visiting provincial exhibitions of this character
one naturally expects to find a great proportion of
the exhibits confined to the industry for which
the locality is famous, and it was therefore some-
what disappointing to see that cutlery was so little
in evidence. That there is wide scope in this
direction will be admitted, and there is ample
proof of the existence of most delightful workman-