Untitled [‘Man looking onto cityscape’] (1994?)



Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 170 x 130

Private collection, Brisbane

An unusual work, not least for including a figure in an architectural setting.

Alison Burton, who recalls the work, believes the date suggested in the 2006-7 retrospective (c.1988-90) is almost certainly too early, given the extensive use of stencilling, a feature of Arkley’s work particularly from 1992 onwards.

Possibly exhibited in Arkley’s 1994 solo show in Brisbane, perhaps as Suburban Allegory (1994?). The composition may be related to a photograph of the artist himself surveying the city of Melbourne, held in Visual Diary 44 (c.1994-96?).

Provenance

  • Recorded in a Brisbane P/C in NGVA Arkley retrospective planning notes c.2006

Exhibited

  • (?) HA Bellas, Brisbane, 5/94 (‘Black & White Paintings and works on paper’): see comments above
  • HA retrospective 2006-7 (all 3 venues; as c.1988-90)