The Art of Suburbia
Howard Arkley was an Australian painter known for his airbrushed depictions of Melbourne suburbia. After studying at Prahran College of Advanced Education from 1969 to 1972, he discovered the airbrush, a tool he utilized to achieve the smooth surfaces he desired in his work. His early exhibitions, including his first at Tolarno Galleries in 1975, featured abstract works often composed of patterns or lines created with the airbrush. While his initial pieces were black and white, he eventually began experimenting with colour.
His career saw significant milestones, such as the creation of the mural Primitive in 1981 and painting a tram for the Victorian Ministry of the Arts in 1982. His artistic journey moved from abstraction toward figurative iconography and landscape. His work has been described as a visual equivalent to the monologues of Barry Humphries, capturing the essence of suburban life.
Life and Legacy
Arkley's life was marked by both artistic recognition and personal turbulence. He participated in the 1999 Venice Biennale and traveled to London to plan an album cover for Nick Cave. Following a successful exhibition at the Karen Lovegrove Gallery in Los Angeles, he traveled to Las Vegas, where he married Alison Burton. He returned to Melbourne, where he died in 1999.
His legacy is preserved through various publications and retrospectives, including:
