Howard Arkley

Howard Arkley (1951--1999) was an Australian artist, born in Melbourne, known for his airbrushed paintings of houses, architecture and suburbia.

Early career

He discovered art when he was 15 years old after seeing an exhibition of the works of Sidney Nolan. Nolan's use of household materials inspired him and abstract artists such as Klee and Kandinsky also appealed to him. After discovering art, Arkley studied at Prahran College of Advanced Education from 1969 to 1972 where he discovered the airbrush, which he subsequently used in his paintings as he desired smooth surfaces.

He had his first exhibition, "White Painting", aged 24, at Tolarno Galleries, Melbourne, in 1975. Most of his early works were abstract, often depicting patterns or lines created with the airbrush. Arkley's works were first black and white, it was only later on that he began experimenting with color. A turning point in Arkley's career was in 1981 when he created "Primitive", a mural, which caught the attention of the public of his potential. In 1982 he painted a tram for the Victorian Ministry of the Arts.

Use of urban and suburban imagery

Between 1980 and 1990 he expanded in inventory of images and icons to include heads, portraits, masks and the urban and suburban imagery. Arkley's inspiration was taken from the patterns, colors and forms(gates, doors etc) found in Australian suburbia. Strong visual effects such as color, bold forms and brash designs derived from advertising were also evident in his works.

Influenced by Nolan, Arkley made use of handmade stencils and other household objects created into stencils such as perforated plastic laundry baskets and fly screen doors to achieve the richly textured patterns.

Arkley collaborated with Juan Davila for an exhibition called Blue Chip Instant Decorator in 1991, at Tolarno Galleries in South Yarra. His exhibition called "Fabricated Rooms" with a 15 metre multipaneled series, was on display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales between 1997 and 1999.this image depicted of multiple rooms in a family home which were brightly colored and patterned.

His work was shown at the 1998 Biennale of Sydney, as well as international shows in Korea, Singapore and Germany.

He painted a colourful airbrushed portrait of musician Nick Cave in 1999 which is in the Collection of the National Portrait Gallery.

Final exhibition and death

Arkley opened his final exhibition at the 1999 Venice Biennale, then travelled to London to plan an album cover for Nick Cave. Following London, he flew to Las Vegas where he married his long time partner Alison Burton, and returned to Melbourne where he died of a drug overdose on July 22, 1999.

Career retrospective

The National Gallery of Victoria opened a retrospective, "Howard Arkley", in November 2006 at the Ian Potter Centre, coinciding with the launch of "Carnival in Suburbia: The Art of Howard Arkley", a book written by his brother-in-law Dr John Gregory, a senior lecturer at Monash University.

Fluorescent Facade: Howard Arkley and Suburbia

A play based on the life and art of Howard Arkley will be appearing as part of the 2008 Melbourne Fringe Festival. Presented by Mutation Theatre, the play is a solo performance that explores the psychedelic houses of Arkleys paintings, and looks at what inspired him to paint them. It will be staged at St Martins Theatre in South Yarra from 23-27th of September 2008. For more information visit melbournefringe.com.au .

External links

* [http://www.jca-online.com/arkley.html Arkley studio, oakleigh]
* [http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/arkley/ Howard Arkley retrospective at the NGV]
* [http://www.gap.net.au/pages/projects/Arkley/Frames/arkley.html Gap net]
* [http://www.monash.edu.au/news/assets/images/nickcave.jpgNick Cave portrait]
* [http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/visarts/globe/issue8/hatxt.html Fabricated rooms AGNSW 97-98]
* [http://www.duffyandsnellgrove.com.au/titles/Howard_Arkley.htm Brief Lives]
* [http://sunday.ninemsn.com.au/sunday/art_profiles/article_601.asp?s=1 Sunday TV show]
* [http://www.firehorse.com.au/reviews/art/arkley.html The home show]
* [http://www.australianart.com.au/artists.php?ID=46 Howard Arkley at Australian Art]
* [http://www.balgal.com/?id=arkleyhoward Spartan Space - Ballarat Fine Art Gallery Collection]