Study for Actuality [A93] (1974) [W/P]

This example is one of a series of ‘white’ works on paper (see also ‘White’ W/P cat.nos.91-97 and 179-180B), all closely related to the composition of Actuality (Is the Void Between Events) (1976).

The motif of ruled verticals combined with loosely sprayed line-work has been traced to an illustration in an old copy of Scientific American, showing two blurred figures with ink verticals added by the artist (the original source is preserved in one of his early visual diaries: see Howard Arkley Archive, SLV MS14217/3/46): for a reproduction and further comments, see Fitzpatrick in Fitzpatrick & Lynn (2015), as noted below.

This particular work, reproduced in Spray as a study for the 1976 canvas, could be identical with Study for Actuality [Monash #2] (1974) [W/P], exhibited in 1991 but as yet unidentified.

= ‘White’ W/P cat.no.90 [previous no.84]

Provenance

• artist’s collection (no.A93)

Literature

• Spray 16: ill. as ‘Study for Actuality (is the void between events)’, 1974 (details as above; as in artist’s coll.)
• Fitzpatrick & Lynn (2015), pp.10-11, reproducing and discussing the apparent source, a photo altered by Arkley