In the ‘Melbourne >< Brisbane’ exhibition at the University of Melbourne (Feb.-May), curator David Pestorius explored the cultural links between the two cities, including Arkley’s contribution, summarized by his Wall Painting (Muzak Mural) (1981) [3/M], installed at the former Institute of Modern Art in Brisbane in July 1981, and represented in this 2010 exhibition by a mock-up based on archival photographs.
Significant Arkleys to appear at auction during 2010 included Model Tudor Village, Fitzroy Gardens 1986 (formerly in the Derwent Collection, Hobart), and Urban Apartments 1999 (from Arkley’s last solo show at the Karyn Lovegrove Gallery in Los Angeles) – both auctioned by Menzies Art Brands, Sydney, 24 June and 23 Sept. respectively. Corner House 1994 appeared at auction with Sotheby’s (Melbourne, 20 April 2010): while the provenance seems a little insecure, this can almost certainly be accepted as a major example of the artist’s mid 90s monochrome style.
At ‘Not Fair 2010’, a ‘satellite art fair’ staged in Melbourne early in August to coincide with the 2010 Melbourne Art Fair at the Melbourne Exhibition Buildings, the inaugural Arkley Award was made to New Zealand-born painter Jake Walker. The Award was established by Arkley’s mother Gwen and her late partner Frank Lewis, in memory of her son and his interest in emerging younger artists. The judges for the inaugural award were Chris McAuliffe, Ken McGregor, Jeremy Kibek, and Arkley’s nieces Sarah and Marjke Arkley (these details appear in the ‘Not Fair’ catalogue: refer bibliography under Crawford 2010. The exhibition, curated by Ashley Crawford, Sam Leach and Tony Lloyd, was held at 79 Stephenson Street, Richmond, from 5-8 August).
At the end of June 2010, the first edition of the present catalogue was launched, at Monash University, with the promise of regular updates. And in October, Arkley’s iconic Monash house painting featured in the inaugural exhibition at MUMA’s new location on the university’s Caulfield campus.