Howard Arkley (1951 – 1999) was an Australian artist, born in Melbourne, known for his airbrushed paintings of houses, architecture and suburbia.
John Brack was Howard Arkley's first true inspiration and felt encouraged to continue with his art. After seeing an exhibition of works by Sidney Nolan, Arkley became very interested in art. 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, 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 colour. A turning point in Arkley's career was in 1981 when he created Primitive, a mural, which caught the attention of the public to his potential. In 1982 he painted a tram for the Victorian Ministry of the Arts.
Tolarno Galleries’ ’20 Year Review’ (1995) and the 'Fabricated Room’ (1997) series preceded Arkley’s selection as Australia’s representative at the 48th Venice Biennale (1999). 'The Home Show’ had a critical and popular success resulting in offers of exhibitions in Paris and London.
Shortly after his returning to Melbourne from the Biennale Arkley died of a heroin overdose. Since his death Arkley’s work continues to be exhibited and is highly regarded as serious studies of Australian suburban landscape.
© 2018. All images are copyrighted © by Howard Arkley or assignee. The use of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained.
John Brack was Howard Arkley's first true inspiration and felt encouraged to continue with his art. After seeing an exhibition of works by Sidney Nolan, Arkley became very interested in art. 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, 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 colour. A turning point in Arkley's career was in 1981 when he created Primitive, a mural, which caught the attention of the public to his potential. In 1982 he painted a tram for the Victorian Ministry of the Arts.
Tolarno Galleries’ ’20 Year Review’ (1995) and the 'Fabricated Room’ (1997) series preceded Arkley’s selection as Australia’s representative at the 48th Venice Biennale (1999). 'The Home Show’ had a critical and popular success resulting in offers of exhibitions in Paris and London.
Shortly after his returning to Melbourne from the Biennale Arkley died of a heroin overdose. Since his death Arkley’s work continues to be exhibited and is highly regarded as serious studies of Australian suburban landscape.
© 2018. All images are copyrighted © by Howard Arkley or assignee. The use of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained.
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| Mr Howard Arkley |
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| 1969, Untitled |
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| 1971, Portrait of Brett Lea |
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| 1979, Isotype |
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| 1979, Untitled |
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| 1980, Lattices and Grids |
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| 1980-81, Muzak mural - chair tableau |
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| 1982, Primitive gold |
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| 1983, Suburban |
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| 1985, The Tattooed Head |
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| 1986, Discocacti |
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| 1986, Succulents |
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| 1986, The Stapelia Peduncle (Aka Neocummgii) |
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| 1987, Bungalow Home |
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| 1987, Triple fronted |
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| 1987, Tudor House, Fitzroy Gardens |
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| 1988, Chair tableau with muzak mural |
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| 1988, Family Home |
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| 1988, Hedge on Street Corner |
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| 1988, Zappo |
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| 1989, A Splendid Superior Home |
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| 1989, Bungalow |
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| 1989, Shadow Factories |
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| 1990, Family Home |
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| 1990, Picasso Head |
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| 1991, Chair |
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| 1992, Mod Style |
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| 1993, Dining in a Glow |
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| 1993, Family Home |
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| 1993, Untitled (Suburban Home) |
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| 1994, A Freeway Painting (Exit) |
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| 1994, Actual fractual |
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| 1994, Cosy Clinker |
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| 1994, Home |
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| 1994, Mask for Baudelaire |
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| 1994, Mosaic Entrance |
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| 1994, Spray Veneer (Vernice a Spruzzo) |
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| 1994, Zappo Head |
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| 1995, Letter-Box Home |
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| 1995, Small House |
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| 1995, Untitled (Suburban House) |
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| 1995-96, Untitled - House with Tree |
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| 1996, Explosion |
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| 1996, House with Tree |
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| 1996, Theatrical Facade |
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| 1997, Front Gate and Home |
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| 1997, Study for the Bay Window |
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| 1997, Tulips - Still Life |
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| 1998, A Large House with Fence |
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| 1998, Superb - solid |
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| 1998, The Yellow Green Room |
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| 1998, Third Overpass |
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| 1998, Untitled (The Second Village) |
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| 1998, Untitled |
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| 1999, Colour Field Home |
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| 1999, The Freeway |
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| 1999, Urban Apartments |
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