Howard Arkley is one of Australia’s most iconic and sought-after artists. Arkley’s work is characterised by an ongoing fascination with the everyday, famous for his psychedelic depictions of suburbia. Across Arkley’s expansive practice, he borrows imagery from human figures, masks and suburban homes that reflect on his childhood spent in the Melbourne suburb of Surrey Hills. 

Arkley’s 1996 mixed media work, 'Zappo Head,' features a human head with geometric cut outs across its face. Seen as a mix between, “a death mask and a clown’s face,” this striking work is a self-portrait of sorts, using this alter-ego to capture a snapshot of the artist’s psyche. This portrait plays with the ability for faces to be seen as masks, deviating between childlike whimsy and adult introspection. The 'Zappo Head' series is a captivating motif from Arkley’s career and showcases his eye for iconic imagery. 

Arkley’s work features in the collections of several major Australian institutions, including the National Gallery of Victoria, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and National Portrait Gallery. During his lifetime he was Australia’s representative at the 1999 Venice Biennale and was recognised across several solo exhibitions and retrospectives. Arkley’s works are rare on the secondary market and remain highly sought-after.

For any avid collector of Australian Popism or lover of uncanny psychedelia, Howard Arkley’s work is an enviable find.

Howard ARKLEY (1951 - 1999)
'Zappo Head' 1996
mixed media on paper
Image Size: 37 x 28 cm
Dimensions: 53 x 44 x 2 cm
Signed: 'Howard Arkley' lower right and inscribed verso 'Name Howard Arkley / Title Zappo Head / Date 1996' 
Comes with Letter of Provenance

Condition: Very Good -  the work of art is in excellent condition however there is some surrounding wear to the paper and the frame. There are no tears to paper margin.

(c) The Artist or Assignee