Untitled [Birthday drawing] 1990 [W/P]



 

Black fibre-tipped pen on paper, 37.6 x 28.5 (irreg.) 
Signed and dated [right margin]
Private collection, Melbourne

 

This excellent example of Arkley’s ‘private’ style was made for his sister-in-law, on the occasion of her birthday in 1990. The work is inscribed in part: ‘Happy Birthday to Shirley H.Arkley’.

The imagery is based loosely on various earlier compositions, notably Spot the Difference (Slow) (1983). For a similar drawing of comparable size, including several of the same motifs, see also Untitled 1985 [W/P].

Provenance

  • Gift from the artist 1990