Primitive Gold 1984



Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 105.5 x 105.5

Signed, dated and titled verso (‘Howard Arkley / Primitive Gold / 1984’)

Private collection

This painting was first shown in Arkley’s 1985 survey exhibition at the Quentin Gallery in Western Australia (label verso), together with Primitive Silver 1984. Both canvases are smaller-scale variants of the larger pair included in the ‘Popism’ show at the NGV in 1982: Primitive Gold 1982 and Primitive Silver 1982. In turn, the present painting and its twin develop on the doodled imagery originally used in Arkley’s Primitive [mural] (1981) [W/P].

Various motifs in those earlier works – including cacti, hybrid creatures, and a pirate flag adorned with a skull-and-crossbones – reappear here: for further details, see Gregory 2026, also discussing parallels with graffiti. Arkley’s archive included a photo partially showing this painting in its former home.

[updated entry including a current photo and new information kindly provided by Wiebke Brix, Head of Art, Leonard Joel, March-April 2026]

Provenance

  • private collection, Melbourne (gift of the artist)
  • thence by descent
  • scheduled for auction by Leonard Joel, Melbourne, 18 May 2026 (“Centum”)

Exhibited

  • HA Quentin 2/85, cat.no.6

Literature

  • Gregory 2026 (catalogue entry for Leonard Joel auction)