B.

This British Council exhibition of British Abstract Art came direct from the Auckland Festival of the Arts where it had been attended by many thousands of visitors.

70 works were shown by 30 different artists, including some of Britain's leading painters. Contributing artists of note were Frank Avray Wilson, Gillian Ayres, Roger Hilton and others from the St Ives group of British painters who concentrated mainly on abstraction.

John Summers (1916-1993) Christchurch poet, writer, book seller, art critic and collector gave a hugely popular 90 minute talk to about 200 people who were keen to learn about abstract art. Unfortunately questions were shortened at the end as the paintings had to be packed up that evening for shipment to the next destination.

Reviewers were less than complimentary; JNK (Nelson Kenny) thought most of the paintings, with one or two exceptions, were worthless.

Admission for adults cost 2 shillings.