By JESSE GRAHAM
A RETROSPECTIVE exhibition celebrating the work, inspirations and friends of painter Howard Arkley opened last weekend in the valley, with never-before-seen works on display.
Howard Arkley (and friends … ) opened on Saturday, 5 December at TarraWarra Museum of Art (TWMA), documenting Arkley’s artistic career from 1974 until his death in 1999.
More than 60 Arkley pieces now adorn the walls of the gallery, along with notes, drawings and photographs, sourced from the State Library of Victoria, in display cases.
TWMA director Victoria Lynn, who is co-curating the exhibition with Anthony Fitzpatrick, said the exhibition featured pieces that had never been displayed before, alongside his more iconic works.
The exhibition is separated into four areas, where works are grouped in themes with the notes that helped to inspire the artist to create them.
Ms Lynn said music from Arkley’s record collection was also presented for visitors in multiple playlists – three accessible via headphones, one broadcast over speakers through the gallery.
“Some are direct inspirations, and some are more to get a sense of the mood of the time,” she said.
“You’ll see there is a connection between the moods of the songs and the work – so just trying to expand that idea, that artists don’t work in isolation.”
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, The Cramps, Iggy Pop, Kraftwerk and Tom Waits, among others, feature on the playlists.
In the gallery’s vista section, works from artists who were friends, partners, colleagues and collaborators of Arkley’s will be hung.
Ryrie Ward councillor Fiona McAllister said the exhibition was “exciting”, and would bring visitors from around the state and beyond to the valley.
“We love so many things about having the TarraWarra gallery here, and I think every exhibition is so unique,” she said.
“What we’ve seen since it’s been here, but certainly in the past few years, is exhibitions that are really enticing different demographics and different people – local people talk a lot about them, as well as bringing a vast array of people from all over the place.”
TWMA, along with the Yarra Ranges Council, will present an Open Weekend, Taking a Line for a Walk, on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December.
Visitors can take place in a large outdoor drawing, inspired by Arkley’s spray-paint works, listen to pop-up talks on the exhibition, a treasure trail or listen to local bands perform.
A public forum on Arkley’s work will also be held at TWMA, from 2pm on Saturday, 6 February.
The exhibition is the latest to display the artist’s works since one in the National Gallery of Victoria from November 2006 – February 2007, and will close on 28 February.
For more information, visit www.twma.com.au.
