Studio: international art (90.1925)

CAMPDEN (GLOUCESTERSHIRE)—MANCHESTER

COLOURED STATUE OF OUR
LADY AND CHILD (PORTLAND
STONE). BY ALEC MILLER

CAMPDEN (Gloucestershire). — We
illustrate a work executed by Mr. Alec
Miller for St. Osmund's Church, Parkstone,
Dorset. The age-old theme is treated in a
new way : it is a theme which cannot grow
time-worn if sincerity is brought to its
treatment, for it is not only a religious
symbol but an embodiment of one of the
eternal human emotions. a a a

MANCHESTER. —Two things, the
flood of mass production and the rise
to prominence of a proletariat not yet
fully educated, have had an effect on
craftsmen's arts which, for the present,
is deranging. This will doubtless pass
away as our mass producers and our
masses learn, and the preciousness of the
unique be again understood. 0 0
Meanwhile the work of individual crafts-
men, such as Mr. Hugh Wallis, is precious
to the initiated, who desire possessions
whether in metals or in pictures, which
are not stereotyped. The objects in the
average house are labelled : 4i In this
style such and such a price," and this is
the only label they do bear. The label
" Unique—acquired with knowledge " can
only be obtained by the people who know
art values, and can discover someone to
supply what they want. Mr. Wallis's
metal work should not be unknown to
perusers of Studio publications. His
paper cuts show another facet of his art,
and are full of the decorative charm which
characterises all his work. They com-
bine his qualities as a colourist and his
definite yet gentle touch as a maker of
patterns. Our time calls for insistence
on the fact that art is concerned, not with
pictures alone, but with every object we
see. Hence the intense present import-
ance of such artist craftsman as this able
son of Manchester. J. W. S.

PAPER CUT BY
HUGH WALLIS

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