Stillife “Tulips” 1996

In January 2026, the owner advised that he bought this painting directly from Tolarno at Art Cologne in 1996 (information forwarded by Deutscher and Hackett). The composition varies that originally used for Tulips and Spotted Vase (1986) and several subsequent variants.

This version was shown in Germany together with 96 Zappo 1996 and Explosion 1996, both on a similarly small scale. All three were produced by Arkley for the Ericsson mobile phone project (see general remarks for 1996), and recorded in the artist’s 1993-96 stock-book as delivered to Tolarno in June 1996.

A closely similar variant of the present work, formerly noted in Arkley’s files as with the Dick Bett Gallery (Hobart) in 1997, was previously listed as the canvas shown in Cologne – clearly a mistaken assumption: see now Still Life Tulips (1997).

{new entry added Feb.2026, modified April 2026}

Provenance

• Tolarno Gallery (listed in Arkley’s 1993-96 stock-book as delivered with the other two Ericsson canvases in June 1996)
• Purchased at Art Cologne by the present owner, Nov.1996 (information and photo forwarded by Damian Hackett, Jan-Feb.2026)
• Scheduled for auction by Deutscher and Hackett, Melbourne, 29 April 2026, lot 23 (est.$150-250,000)

Exhibited

• Tolarno at Art Cologne, 10-17 Nov.1996, as Still Life ‘Tulips’

Literature

• Ericsson 1996 brochure (copy formerly in Arkley archive): ill.
• Gellatly 2026 (catalogue entry for Deutscher and Hackett auction, 29 April 2026, lot 23; ill.)