The Tattooed Head 1985



Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 134.5 x 93

signed, dated and titled [on reverse, acc.to Leonard Joel]

Coll.: unknown

This painting, obviously a variant of Tattooed Head (1983) [aka Tattooed], was sold at auction in Melbourne in 1992.

The black and white photograph in the auction catalogue (reproduced here) appears to be the only known image. Without a colour photo it is hard to make definitive comments, but the work seems to represent an interesting transition towards the development fully realized in Arkley’s 1990 ‘Head Show’.

Provenance

  • earlier history unknown
  • auctioned by Leonard Joel, Melbourne, 25 Nov.1992, lot 90 (ill., details as shown here; est.$1,500-2,000; sold for $4,400 plus buyer’s premium, according to AASD)