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Letters to the Editor
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Rae?s criticisms
THE EDITOR, Sir:? During the past few years I've read many letters in the Gleaner contradicting Mr. Norman Rae?s reviews of a play, pantomime or art exhibition. I have seen a number of these performances and exhibitions. and did not I agree with him. but did not write in about it. Now I feel it is about time for someone with some authority to step in and ; put in a plea for the artists. Since I am much older than most of the artists in Jamaica, and I think, have more experience, I feel that it is my duty to try and help them.
I used to think that Mr. Rae : was a very severe critic who ; didn't seem to realize that one I does not start out with perfection. A true artist is always I studying and striving towards i perfection.
Here in Jamaica where art is ' very young. there is a great need for public support and en-i couragement. I feel sure that | many who would go to see a l play or exhibition, feel that it is not worthwhile after reading one of Mr. Rae?s reviews. There are those? (thank God!) who feel that they can rely on their own judgment, and they pay no attention to the criticism and go to see the play or exhibition in spite of the review and find it ' most enjoyable. This has happened to me with the panto- ? inime.	I
Mr. Rae reminds me of the I old lady who was dusting her I furniture. She went over the j surfaces, over and over, yet ?
: they remained covered with dust. Then she discovered that ; the dust was on her glasses.
, It wasn't until I had a show jat the Institute that I realized how little Mr. Rae knew about art. I have been studying and working in art for nearly 60 years. I?ve had four years at the Institute of Art in Chicago, and foirr years of private study under Charles Schroeder, studying anatomy and figure structure. Every doctor who has seen my work, is first impressed with my knowledge of the human figure. I do know bones and muscles. A few years ago, I was given an Academy award for my 'knowledge of the human figure iand the spiritual values in my (portraits. Yet?Mr. Rae criticized my proportions of the figure.
1 Also, he would have me be-
lieve that after all these years of daily study, I still cannot draw an object to make it look as though it was sitting on a table. This is something any first year student can do. Best of all?he said that my work was three-dimensional, but flat. That, I think is the trick of the centirry.
I did not write this to complain of his review of my work, however, I am out of his reach. His not liking my work will not cause me to become discouraged. I know enough about art to judge my work for myself. If I do a good piece. I know it is good. Also?if I do a bad piece, I know why it is bad.
Unfortunately, this is not true for the young artist just starting out. To mention just a few remarks made by Mr. Rae ? he said that Dorothy Wells? work was not controversial.
Well, the same could be said about a great many of the greatest masterpieces. Why should a work of art have to be controversial to be good. On the other hand?there is a great deal that is controversial being done today: even the methods are new. The paint is shot out of a gun. thrown on the canvas, smeared on with the feet; paint is being smeared over the model, and she is then dragged over the canvas. Monkeys are now doing abstractions???? And they look jirst like *he ones created by some of the artists. A ca? is now painting with her tail and is selling her pictures for One Thousand Dollars.
But?is it art? Please, do let the Jamaican artists hang to sanity for a little longer.
I'm afraid that if we don?t start to support our artists, and encourage them. we cannot blame them if they all leave Jamaica for places where they can get some encouragement. If this should happen. Mr. Rae will find himself without any art to judge.
If Mr. Rae would only try and take enough interest in the artist to give him a constructive criticism, it would be much appreciated by the artist and he would be doing art in Jamaica a great service. Don?t make clever remarks to get a laugh at the artists? exDense. It is good to point otrt the weak points, but it is also good to say what is good about the work. In this way, the young artist can tell
how he?s getting along, j In speaking of Kapo?s sculp-jture. he said that he found il ' crude. I thought that Mr. Rat i would know by now that hac , the work not been crude, il would not have been classed as "primitive'-. Surely an art critic should know this.
Come on Mr. Rae. why not become an ally instead of the enemy of the Jamaican artist I bet it would make you feel good if you gave it a try.
I am, etc., RICHMOND BARTHE. ?Iolairs?
Cole Gate P.O ,
; St. Ann,
July 15, 1961.
Barthe?s sculpture
THE EDITOR, Sir:- Christopher Hills in his letter published in your columns yesterday, attributes to me a statement about Richmond Barthe?s sculpture which I never made.
I am sure there are many grounds on which my reviews may be unfavourably criticised but, if Mr. Hills is to spearhead an attack, I would wish him to base it on accurate and intelligent reading of what I have written.
He says I described Barthe?s dancer as ?anatomy out of proportion?. I have checked my review of Barthe?s 1959 show at the Institute of Jamaica ? in which he had recently turned to painting and showed only a few pieces of sculpture ? the following are the sculptural references.
About the paintings:	?the
sculptor's assured knowledge of modelling shows in the effortless ? seeming, handling of forms and more immediately in the structural treatment of faces and'nude or semi-nude figures.?
About the dancer (right title: ?Inner Music?): It is uncertain whether the overly graceful elongation of limbs and torso if being used for the same purpose as El Greco?s or, if not. what? For it eliminates the strength while,' at the same time falling short of the mystical.
Amongst the sculpture on display, the bust ------ again of Lu-
cien Levers ?is a very beautiful thing with its sensitive modelling, its knowledge o character, and its affectionate and serene aura?, which, I ad mit does entail a certain knowledge of El Greco's works.
As you may gather from this I consider Barthe a very fin< sculptor indeed.
I am. etc..
NORMAN RAE, Kingston,
July 26, 1961.