Strange Fruit 1987



Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 160 x 120

Signed, dated and titled [on reverse]

Private collection, Brisbane

The work reproduced here was first shown in Arkley’s ‘Suburban Urban Messages’ exhibition at Roslyn Oxley9, Sydney, in September 1987 (see also archive slide).

The title ‘Strange Fruit’ derives from a song made famous by Billie Holiday (alluding to the lynching of black Americans), as noted in comments by Arkley quoted in Spray; there, however, it is attached erroneously to the reproduction of another 1987 canvas: see now Physiognomy 1987.

See also Strange Fruit (1987) [W/P], a work-on-paper variant of the present composition.

Provenance

  • Unknown (possibly purchased at the Bellas exhibition, 1989)
  • Purchased by present owner from Bellas Gallery, Brisbane, 1999

Exhibited

  • HA Roslyn Oxley9, 9/87, cat.7 (as 160 x 122; $4,000)
  • HA Anima Gallery, Adelaide, 10/87, cat.5 (as 160 x 122; $4,000)
  • HA Bellas, Brisbane, 6/89, cat.4 (as 1200 x 1600 mm; $5,500)
  • HA retrospective 2006-7 (Melbourne & Brisbane; details as above)
  • HA TarraWarra 12/15-2/16 (details as above; ill.)

Literature

  • Spray 76-77
  • Carnival 169 and Fig.6.13