‘Howard Arkley: Cacti & Succulents’, Roslyn Oxley9, Sydney, May 1984



‘Howard Arkley: Cacti & Succulents’, Roslyn Oxley9, 13-21 MacDonald Street, Paddington, Sydney, 10-26 May 1984

This show comprised 4 canvases first shown in 1983, and 8 works on ‘rag paper’ (mostly of cacti – essentially a new theme for the artist). The check-list includes the earliest use of the term ‘synthetic polymer paint’ rather than ‘acrylic’ for Arkley’s works. Sizes listed were 77 x 107 (nos.1-6), 110 x 150 (nos.7-12). Prices were $500 for nos.1-6, $800 for nos.7-8 and $1,100 for nos.9-12.

No installation photos have been traced in Arkley’s archive, but most works can be identified with reasonable certainty via slides and other evidence, as noted under individual entries. The current Roslyn Oxley9 website includes photographs of all works, identified differently in some cases (as noted under individual entries); oddly, the reproduction shown there for cat.no.10 shows a completely different work, Winds of War Graffiti 1983 (exhibited at Tolarno in 1983 as ‘Billboard’) .

A gallery letter [copy in Arkley archive] indicates that cat.nos.1 and 9 were sold. Terence Malloon praised the show in the Sydney Morning Herald; but Sandra McGrath, writing in the Weekend Australian (12-13 May) was less impressed.

(photo: Invitation to opening [verso]: copy in Arkley’s files)

1. Neo-Porteria (1984) [W/P]: probable ID via untitled archive slide (Roslyn Oxley label)

2. Lophophora (1984) [W/P]: identified via reproduction in Spray 77 and archive slide

3. Pittoresque (1984) [W/P]: probable ID via description of the work as shown in New Zealand in Sept.1984 (Hill 1984): quoted in catalogue entry

4. Neocummgii: see Stapelia-Peduncle 1985 [W/P]

5. Euphorbia (1984) [W/P]: provisional ID via untitled archive slide (Roslyn Oxley label)

6. Conophytums (1984) [W/P]: provisional ID via untitled slide with Roslyn Oxley label

7. Lace-Lanced 1983 [W/P]: later shown as ‘Lanced Lace’ (see entry for details)

8. Razz-Dazz (1984) [W/P]: later shown in Tasmania in 1985 (see entry for details)

9. Suicide 1983: sold at this show (gallery letter in Arkley’s files); 1st shown at Tolarno Oct.1983

10. Tennis (1983): 1st exh. at Tolarno Oct.1983

11. Penis (110 x 150) = Tattooed Penis (1983), 1st shown at the NGV 1983

12. Hands (110 x 150) = Tattooed Hands 1983, also 1st shown at the NGV 1983