Untitled [Model study] (1982) [W/P]



Synthetic polymer paint on 4 sheets of paper (3 extant), c.160 x 115 overall

Private collection, Melbourne

The composition is closely related to that of Model 1983 [aka Zygocactus]. The imagery of the many-breasted figure at the upper left is discussed in Carnival 167 (comparing both Greco-Roman imagery and a work by Louise Bourgeois).

The lower right sheet is now missing, presumed lost, and the remaining sheets are in rather poor condition. The complete work is reproduced here via Arkley’s archive slide (with process date Oct82).

A slide (also dated Oct82) of a rough working sketch for this composition is preserved in Arkley’s archive, and the artist also produced a modified version of this sketch for reproduction on the cover of Art Network no.11 (Spring 1983): for comments, see 1982 Works on paper (minor).

Provenance

  • artist’s collection [A204]
  • P/C Melb. (fragmentary)

Literature

  • Carnival 167 and Fig.6.11 (detail of upper left sheet: as c.1981)