A Mixed Bag Of This And That

Among the miscellaneous publications recently received, the following are worth noting:

Art: A new glossy Ure Smith publica tion (we have received No. 2 of Vol. 1) called Art and Australia proves, if nothing else, that contem porary art in this country is just as peculiar as anywhere else. With few departures, this issue is for those who appreciate bile-green and mud-coloured concentric circles with midnight blue stripes. The most interesting things about the paintings, for Philistines, are the prices they bring.

The magazine is a quarterly and as well as reproducing current paint ings, many of them in colour, it has sections dealing with architecture and sculpture and other forms of art. There is also an art directory which lists forthcoming exhibitions; art prizes offering; auctions and sales that have been held and the prices offerings brought; and lists of new publications on art subjects.

(Art And Australia. Ure Smith

Pty. Ltd.; £5/5/- per year (4 issues); or £l/10/- per issue.)

Poetry:

Although some Australian artists can now afford mink-lined garrets, Australian poets have not been so fortunate. Poetry is not one of the most popular art forms anywhere in the contemporary English-speaking world.

For those who would like to sample the Australian variety, a new series on Australian poets has just been issued by Angus and Robert son of Sydney. They are in paper back form and each has an introduc tion which gives the background to the poet and his verse. The poets

so far published in the series are Bernard O’Dowd (7/6); James Mc- Auley (6/6); Victor Daley (8/6); Judith Wright (8/6); Mary Gilmore (8/6)^/ Shaw Neilson (8/6).

Tahitian Dictionary:

A second, revised edition of Leonard Clairmont’s Tahitian-English Dictionary has been published. It is not exhaustive and is meant for travellers and casual students who like to have some of the more fre quently used words and phrases at their command.

The small volume sells for $1 with 40 per cent, discount on lots

of over 50 copies. The compiler’s address is 2136 Nichols Canyon Rd., Hollywood 46, California.

Bishop Museum News: The Bishop Museum in Honolulu is now issuing its quarterly round-up oL information in magazine form.

The small magazine is called The 'Conch Shell and it aims not only to present news of the museum pro grammes in research and other activi ties, but articles on a wide range of subjects. No. 1, Vol. 1, contains an article on conch shell trumpets, which were probably the first trum pets invented by man; and another on an ancient Japanese manuscript in the possession of the museum.

Subscription to the magazine is $4 a year (four issues); or $1 a copy inside USA and $2 outside.