Susan Dorothea White Bibliography

Successful Art Show by Young B. Hill Artist

May Harding

Young Broken Hill artist, Miss Susan D. White is holding a highly successful “one man” show at the Technical College annexe. More than half of the pictures have been sold.

This is an exhibition that Broken Hill has been waiting for. Ever since Susan White's pictures appeared in competitions and exhibitions they have been popular and wanted, but usually the tantalising “N.F.S.” appeared in the catalogue.

Until recently Susan has been a dedicated student and the present show is a selection of about three years' work. (Susan admits she has always painted). She spent one year at the Adelaide School of Arts gaining distinctions and credits and received prizes for both drawing and painting. Then she joined the Julian Ashton School in Sydney, where William Dobell and many artists who are big names in art got their training.

Fresh Vision

Bowing to no popular ism or formula except hard work, practice and observation, Susan White turned to our countryside with the fresh vision and vigor of youth.

In her pictures it is all there — the red clay, erosion, bramble wattles bursting in bloom, the “little creeks,” big gums, struggling roots, wispy foliage, dry white grass, the silver sheen of the saltbush and dark rocky outcrops. There are seascapes and bush scenes as well as sunsets, cloud studies, and country saturated after rain.

“She has captured the red earth that only Australia has,” said one visitor, “except, perhaps, Spain.” The long-exiled one said and dreamed of another sunbaked earth and the treasures of the Prado.

Portraits

Miss White has a flair for portraiture and shows a recently painted portrait of Miss Susan Fitzpatrick, a solidly painted study of Mr. H. L. C. Cotton, and one of her father. In this “not for sale” section are many interesting drawings and paintings from life, from children to very old subjects.

In the prints and drawings section are a much admired etching, “The Tibetan” and a monkey. Lithographs are interesting, especially the red and black printing of “Burnt Country”.

Susan has enjoyed herself and delighted visitors talking about her pictures and explaining technical points. She likes crayons and water-colors mixed, and finds this an excellent way to capture our dry country. She has much fun with pen and other media.

Talked Art

After the meeting of the Willyama Art Society, whose prize for a Broken Hill subject was awarded to Susan White in the recent art competition, members went to the show and had a valuable hour.

As guests of Mr. F. E. B. Rost, Miss White and the Willyama painters adjourned to the Mayfair restaurant where the atmosphere was “artsy”, “harty” and “hearty”. Surrounded by “Pro” Hart's backyard beer drinkers, pink elephant, man at the organ, kangaroo shooters, nudes and abstracts and a lovely, “Rocks at Sunrise” by John Gregory, they talked of art and artists, even to Broken Hill oldest, the Mootwingee carvings.

Came inspiration. Susan borrowed a blue biro and on a crumpled catalogue drew her host — a speaking likeness — and Broken Hill's newest work. (It will be a valued addition to a collection of more than a hundred pictures, many with a Broken Hill flavor, in Sydney.

The celebrators were last seen at a late hour looking at a collection of antique bottles from which the spirits long departed had helped others celebrate in the early days.

Miss White's exhibition will continue tonight until 9 o'clock and tomorrow from 2 till 9 p.m., when pictures may be removed by purchasers. It is a must for all Broken Hill art lovers.