Untitled [Weaving] 1980 [W/P]

This work, which came to light at auction in Melbourne in 2025, is inscribed as having been given to its original owner by Arkley in September 1981. Slides in the artist’s archive (one with process date Mar81) clearly show this work, but with no sign of an inscription.

In October 1981, a similar work on paper, with some variant details, was shown in Arkley’s solo exhibition at the Solander Gallery, Canberra, with the tile Weaving: see now Weaving (1981) [W/P]. The Solander installation photos in Arkley’s archive clearly show that work oriented differently, with the green elements at the top.

Unfortunately, a previous catalogue entry conflated the details for these two works, now identified as distinct variants of the same compositional idea. Both are fine examples of the sophistication with which Arkley used abstract patterned elements in the period around 1979-81, here echoing the texture of woven material, explored literally in Logitex (a hooked rug) (1981) [3/M], first shown at Tolarno in July 1981 and later incorporated in Logitex (table and chair tableau) (1980-84) [3/M] (NGA, Canberra); and later in the rug included in Homezone (1999) [3/M].

[new entry March 2025; modified July 2025]

Provenance

• Gift from the artist, 1981
• Private collection
• Thence by descent
• Auctioned by Leonard Joel, Melbourne, 18 March 2025, lot 6: details and ill.as shown here; est.$12-16,000; sold for $18,000 + buyer’s premium