Studio: international art (45.1909)

The Scottish Modern Arts Association

“(2) The acquisition of works of art by artists
other than Scottish.

“ (3) The exhibition of works so acquired.

“(4) The endeavour to secure adequate re-
presentation of Scottish art in British National
Collections.

“ (5) The furtherance of any scheme which shall
have for its object the promotion of modern
Scottish art.”

It has been a grievance north of the Tweed that
recognition of the work of Scottish artists has not
been accorded to the extent that it ought to be,
either by the National or Tate Galleries ; that in
London, Scottish art has been cold-shouldered in
comparison with the place that has been accorded
to it both in the provinces and in various Con-
tinental centres, notably Paris and Munich ; and
one of the aims of the Association will be to break
down the wall of indifference and ignorance.

Though it has been in existence little more than
a year, the Association, with a list of only 260
subscribers, reinforced by a few generous donors,
has accomplished much. A good proportion of
the members are themselves artists, and this
element in the management introduces features
that may open the door to criticism. Experience,
however, has shown that the dangers are more
apparent than real, that they are counterbalanced
by advantages, and it is to be presumed that the

new organisation will not in this respect be differ-
ently circumstanced from others. Its president,
Sir John Stirling Maxwell, has already laid Scotland
under a deep debt of obligation to him for his
initiative in the movement to place the National
Gallery on a footing worthy of the objects for
which it was founded ; and the chairman of the
executive, Mr. Stodart Walker, is a well-known
enthusiast in art, whose extensive knowledge and
ripe judgment ought to be of great service in laying
a permanent basis for future successful work. The
following is a list of the pictures that have been
acquired : Shadowed Pastures, by E. A. Walton,
R.S.A., a reproduction of which appeared in The
Studio last year ; Seashore Roses, by E. A. Hornel ;
Edinburgh's Playground, by James Paterson,
A.R.S.A.; Hymn to the Rose, by John Duncan;
The Flight of the Swallows, by J. H. Lorimer,
R.S.A.; Criffel, by D. Y. Cameron, A.R.S.A.; The
Gordi Stalk, a water-colour drawing by James
Cadenhead, A.R.S.A. ; Meditation, by Graham
Glen ; Great Tit, water-colour drawing, by Edwin
Alexander, A.R.S.A. ; Still Life, by S. J. Peploe ;
a piece of sculpture in bas-relief, by Bertram
Mackennal ; and a bronze bust of Sir George Reid,
by Pittendrigh Macgillivray, R.S. A. The Alexander
drawing has been gifted by Sir Thos. Gibson
Carmichael, chairman of the Scottish National
Gallery Board ; and the Mackennal sculpture by

■“Edinburgh’s playground”
116

BY JAMES PATERSON, A.R.'.A.