Howard Arkley one of the most important Australian Artist

Discussion started by Adam Rangihana 6 years ago

Howard Arkley one of the most important Australian Artist

Art is culture, it is inspiration, it is feeling, it is talent, it is sublime; but, more than that is identity, because thanks to majestic works each region or country is recognized. Throughout history and today, art has been the face of every part of the planet, whether it be musical art, visual art, culinary art and more. For example, who does not remember Spain by Salvador Dalí? Who does not remember France by William Shakespeare? Who does not remember Mexico by Frida Kahlo? Well, those who do not remember these countries for these artists simply have to know about art. So, just as Kahlo is an icon in art for Mexico or Gustavo Cerati for Argentina, Howard Arkley has become an artistic symbol for Australia because of his magnificent works, which today give this country an ineffable pride. In this article we will talk about an artist very famous for his works and his peculiarities, besides a shocking story in the end of his life, yes, Howard Arkley has a biography that causes curiosity, for some important and unique details, and here you will know them.

Howard Arkley is one of the most important artists in Australia, born on May 5, 1951, and had his birthplace in the city of Melbourne, specifically in the suburb of Melbourne Surrey Hills. He had his first inspiration with the surrealist paintings of Sydney Nolan, pictures that he would dare to copy with his mother's paintings. Since Howard was interested in art, although he had not yet gone to an exhibition gallery. After having taken such inspiration he dedicated himself to drawing on any available surface, making drawings, lines, scribbles and figures of all kinds.

Little Howard was more interested in drawing than in painting, for his passion was being influenced by Paul Klee, who coined the idea of "taking a line for a walk." The child grew and his love for art continued to grow in a fast-paced way, he began to make his first thoughts and analyzes about art, and among them he said that surrealist artists were his first introduction to contemporary art, in addition to his practice of the automatic writing and playing of the exquisite corpse ended up being a very big influence for him.

Once graduated, Howard set out on his way to the legend he is today. He took an art course that lasted three years at Prahran College of Advanced Education, an institution that would mark Arkley for life, because here he would be influenced by Fred Cress, who would introduce him to the airbrush world, and that tool would be the one used by Howard Arkley to make his majestic paintings.

Howard would be a revolutionary in drawing, because he refined the use of the airbrush, dominating it to such an extent that he used it as a pen. The aerodynamic line was one of Howard's greatest features, especially when he used it to delineate his fields of brilliant color, even presenting smooth and polished designs.

When the course ends and a somewhat long period of practice and inspiration passes, Howard makes his first exhibition at Tolarno Galleries, a gallery that would represent him for the rest of his life, because in this house of art formed a very important link with the director Georges Mora, something very beneficial for the race of the Australian artist.

The first works that he presented in this gallery were called "white" paintings, and had as characteristics a modern and abstract style, combining white and black in a harmonious way, which shows an influence of Zen philosophy in his creations.

Black and white, were the only two colors in his paintings, although, later, he would start to use other colors in his works. But what would make Arkley famous? What would be the detonation point in the career of this famous artist? Well, we will have to go a few more years, until 1981, when Howard created Primitive, a mural, which attracted the attention of the public in an extraordinary way, which served to capture the eyes of the Ministry of Arts Victoria, body that would give him the task of drawing the drawing of a streetcar the following year.

The opportunities were not long in the career of Howard, who later expanded his portfolio, including heads, portraits, masks and urban and suburban images. He traveled to Europe seeking inspiration, and upon arriving from Australia he noticed the pattern of his front door, as well as several doors to the entire neighborhood. The impetuous designs began to prevail in the works of Arkley, an intrepid and rebellious style that contrasted perfectly the personality of the author.

Howard embodied his character in the most realistic way possible in his paintings, giving that touch of impetuosity so charming, in fact, do you know what act Arkley made to be world famous and remembered today? Well, he became the first painter to realize a painting with his feet, without doubt, the skill of this gentleman went beyond the time.

Later, with a conspicuous popularity, Arkley joins Juan Davila, to offer an exhibition called Blue Chip Instant Decorator in 1991, in the Tolarno Galleries in South Yarra. This exhibition would have a fantastic success and without doubt, would consolidate to Howard Arkley in the top of the Australian art.

His life ends after being married, one of the saddest events in his history, since, in 1999 he opens an exhibition at the Venice Biennale, then travels to London to exhibit his painting of Nick Cave, later traveled to Los Angeles, more afternoon went to Las Vegas, where he married his partner Alison Burton on July 15. They celebrated their honeymoon in the United States and returned on July 19 to Melbourne, and three days later Arkley was dying of an accidental overdose of heroin, having a somewhat tragic ending to such a successful run.

Arkley's works stand out globally, and has put Australia on the international artistic scene, serving as inspiration for today's young people in their country. It should be noted that the National Gallery of Victoria opened a retrospective in his honor, called Howard Arkley, this in November 2006 at the Ian Potter Center. In addition, Dr. John Gregory, a professor at Monash University, wrote a book about Howard entitled "Carnival in Suburbia: The Art of Howard Arkley." In short, the impression of this great artist will last with a taste of glory during the Australian history, of that there is no doubt.

 

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