Studio: international art (68.1916)

Decorative Woodwork by Polytechnic Students

not be surprised if the announcement of its more especially with those departments of their
abolition comes instead. If that is the case it is activities which have a direct bearing on industrial
to be hoped that a strenuous opposition will be production.

organised. We should be the last to contend that Our immediate purpose here, however, is to
the Competition yields the best possible results bring to the notice of readers some examples of
under the conditions which now govern it ; on the work in a special field of art which has been
contrary we think there are many ways in which it cultivated with success at the Polytechnic School
might be materially improved, and in the successive of Art in Regent Street—namely, the decoration
articles on the annual exhibitions in which the prize of various articles constructed of wood, usually
works have been shown to the public the direc- articles that are not purely ornamental but are
tions in which improvement might be made have intended for use. This kind of work is a distinct
been indicated. But the continued existence of speciality at the Polytechnic Institute, and has
the Competition is, we believe, of national impor- brought to several of the students some of the
tance, for it is the means by which the nation can highest awards in the National Competition of
see the concrete results of the art school education recent years. The class in which this work is
for which it pays, and further it is a means of done is conducted by Mr. Harry G. Theaker, who
bringing young designers and draughtsmen into himself in the Competition in 1899 won a gold
relation with those who are in a position to make medal with designs for piano panels. The illus-
use of their talents. It is true that manufacturers trations we have given on previous occasions when
have hitherto not availed themselves as fully as noticing the National Competition have elicited
they might of the assistance which art schools are wide-spread interest, and also a good deal of
able to offer them, but the blame for that rests curiosity as to the technical procedure involved in
quite as much with themselves as with the schools the production of these articles—or rather of their
—perhaps more ; but without going further into the embellishment. But Mr. Theaker insists to those
rather sore point of these past relations, one may who appeal to him for information that there is no
express the devout hope that in the days to come, more mystery in this kind of work than there is
when it will be imperative for everyone to give of in the production of any other work of art. To
his best, there will be a much closer rapprochement the uninitiated every craft is of course a mystery,
between them, which will enhance the prestige of and knowledge and skill come only after experi-
the industrial art of the country. That is what the ment and perseverance. In this case the artistic
schools were established for, and it should always factors are ability to draw and a sense of colour,
be kept in view. And though there has been and the chief material factors are stains of various
a tendency in many of the
schools to encourage the
production of immature
painters of easel pictures,
we believe that there is an
abundance of talent among
the rising generation of
artists which, if it is directed
into the proper channels
and is encouraged by the
leaders of industry, will
lead to fruitful results,
important alike from the
economic as well as the
aesthetic point of view.
This belief will, we think,
be fully justified by our
forthcoming Special
Number dealing with
the work of the principal

C,U i f \ f ' fVl travelling toilet case, of whitewood with stained and gilt gesso

schools ot Art in tne decoration, hy gwen white

United Kingdom, and (Details of this case are shown in colour on the following pages)

194