2006

November saw the opening of the major Arkley retrospective curated by the National Gallery of Victoria, and the simultaneous launch of John Gregory’s new monograph on the artist, Carnival in Suburbia, published by Cambridge University Press. Both had been several years in preparation; together they provided a significant summary of his achievement, satisfying many admirers, and winning him new adherents, especially among a younger generation to whom Arkley’s work was largely unknown.

There was carping from the usual dissidents, but on the whole the mood was buoyant, and the NGV were pleased with the attendance and publicity the retrospective generated (for details, see Bibliography). The NGV also produced a useful exhibition brochure by curator Jason Smith, and an informative audio-guide to accompany the Melbourne exhibition, based on interviews with Smith and various other experts and fans.

Carnival in Suburbia received extensive notice during 2006 and 2007, although, as I have observed elsewhere, not all of the responses were equally well-considered (see Gregory, Art Monthly, 2007).