AustLit

Author's note: The artist's trademark style was airbrushed, kaleidoscopically coloured depictions of Melbourne suburban houses, linear to the point of cartoon, with elements of pop-art. After years of pursuing his idiosyncratic vision, as something of a maverick in Australian art circles, his work was a hit at the 1999 Venice Biennale and Arkley was poised for international success. Shortly after his triumphant return to Australia, he died of an accidental heroin overdose, aged 49.