Ultrakleen 1992



Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 173 x 135
signed, dated and titled
Private collection, Melbourne

This ‘signature’ interior, based on a template in Gold’s Instant Decorator, was first exhibited in ‘Mix’n Match’ in 1992, and has been shown widely since.

The shiny neatness of the model kitchen is complicated by allusions to Arkley’s own earlier works, as noted in Spray, and the Escher-esque perspective of the tiled floor. Most of the line-work here is in grey, lending the work a unifying, suitably metallic tonality.

Provenance

  • Recorded in Melbourne P/C in Spray notes c.1996 and NGVA Arkley retrospective planning files c.2006

Exhibited

  • HA Tolarno 10/92 (‘Mix’n Match’), cat.5 (details as above)
  • Heide 1995 (‘Downtown’)
  • Adelaide Festival exh. (‘Compost’), 3/96
  • Korea 1998 (‘Unhomely’)
  • HA retrospective 2006-7 (all 3 venues)
  • HA TarraWarra 12/15-2/16 (details as above; ill.)

Literature

  • Spray 108 and 110 (ill.)
  • Engberg 1995 (‘Downtown’ exh.cat.), p.50 (ill., reproduced back to front)
  • McAuliffe 1996, plate 14 (also reversed)
  • Carnival 10, 24 and Fig.1.3