Weaving (1981) [W/P]

This work, first shown in Arkley’s solo exhibition at the Solander Gallery, Canberra, in 1981, is clearly visible in installation slides taken at the exhibition (artist’s archive). Documentation received in 2025 indicates that the work was purchased from the Solander show in 1981, and later purchased at auction by the present owner in 2011 (provenance details and documentation forwarded March 2025).

The composition is closely related to that of an earlier work on paper: see Untitled [Weaving] 1980 [W/P]. The present example varies some of the details in the 1980 work, and also reverses the orientation, showing the green elements at the top.

Unfortunately, a previous catalogue entry confused the two works, now definitely identified as distinct variants. Both works exemplify Arkley’s sophisticated approach to pattern in this period, discussed further in the entry on the 1980 work.

[revised entry, March/July 2025; NB the photograph reproduced here is an ID shot kindly supplied by the owner in March 2025]

Provenance

• Solander Gallery, Canberra
• Purchased from the above by A.B.Salter, 21 Oct.1981 (copy of receipt seen)
• Auctioned by Pickles Estate Auction, Canberra, Sept.2011 (information from present owner, 2025)
• Acquired from the above by the present owner, Sept.2011

Exhibited

• HA Solander 10/81, cat.7 (dimensions given as 80 x 104; $400)