Walking Abstract (1994) [W/P]

This work, acquired from Peter Bellas, Brisbane, in 1994, is presumably the work on paper exhibited in 1994 at both the Bellas Gallery and the Dick Bett Gallery, Hobart (see exhibition details below), and also listed in Arkley’s 1993-6 stock-book.

The composition varies the box-on-legs imagery previously used for Crawling Nature (1986) [W/P], Happenstance (1987) and Pittoresque (1988) [W/P]), and also recorded in one of Arkley’s visual diaries, annotated “Title idea ‘walking’ Fats Domino” (referring to a well-known song by the legendary jazz musician): for a reproduction of the relevant page, see Visual Diary 21 (1987ff.).

With thanks to the present owner for information and ID photo included here, and also to Simon Wright (Bellas Gallery manager in 1994, and now at the Queensland Art Gallery), who recalls the work reproduced here as shown in the Bellas exhibition in May-June 1994.

[Entry revised Jan.2025; previously listed as unidentified]

Provenance

• Bellas Gallery, Brisbane
• Acquired from the above, 1994
• Also listed in HA’s 1993-6 stock-book (1994)

Exhibited

• HA Bellas 5/94, cat.10 ($900)
• Dick Bett Gallery, Hobart 8/94 (‘Beyond the Surface’, cat.11: details as above; $1100)