Freeway – Exit 1997 [W/P]



Synthetic polymer paint on paper, 75 x 55

Signed, dated and titled [s+d l.r., within image: ‘Howard Arkley 97’; also sd+t on verso: ‘Name Howard Arkley / Title Freeway – Exit / Date 1997 / Medium Acrylic on paper’ {acc.to Menzies 3/13}]

Coll.: unknown

Characteristic late freeway image, in predominantly grey tones. Among various comparable examples dating from 1995-99, Freeway (over pass) (1996) [W/P] (shown by Bellas in 1996) is probably closest in its spare detailing and cool grey line-work. The present work was acquired c.1998, as part of a group of late Arkleys that also included Third Overpass 1998, a somewhat different variant, on canvas.

ID photo and details of the present work were forwarded to the Arkley Estate in Sept.2011. It was subsequently auctioned in Sydney in March 2013; when viewed in Melbourne prior to the 2013 auction, the work showed some minor signs of staining, notably in the area of the foreground column.

Provenance

  • F.& D.Meares collection, Queensland (acquired directly from the artist, c.1998: information and ID photo supplied to Arkley Estate Sept.2011: as ‘The Overpass’, 1997; acrylic on paper, 75 x 54.5 cm)
  • Auctioned by Menzies, Sydney, 21 March 2013, lot 63 (ill.& dets.as above; est. $14-18,000; sold for $14,000 plus B/P {$17,182})