"Dale Frank’s art is tempestuous, and if we’re attuned to its agility we plunge and soar with its wave fronts of elegance and vulgarity."
–Edward Colless
Exhibition Dates: 13 June – 6 July 2024
Frank’s exhibitions generate fevered and delirious atmospheres, flashing with mad, majestic pleasures and screeching with demonic hilarity so that even the ground seems to liquefy and heave beneath me. And with his now almost standard sized Perspex panels at two metres square (although they feel bigger than that when they pitilessly confront you), there’s nothing domestically scaled in his images, not even a human scaled foothold. You get lost across their fathomless span, but also you get locked into their rippling, shivering, feathered, luminescent magnetic fields. Consumed within fuming ectoplasmic veils. Swept along sinuous rills of gelatinous colour to be tangled in their cascades and avalanches of ignited pigment. Stung by DayGlo explosions of amoebic vapours that spit out spermatic filaments, like a sea wasp’s Medusan tentacles … It would be timid not to face up to these sensational demons.
The psychedelic miasma of Frank’s catastrophic world convulses into rivers of blood and flaming gravity waves, which can suddenly morph into a goonish, squirming, smiley face whose acrobatic features flex in a dreadful rictus but with the instinctual groping of an insect’s mandibles. Being confronted by these works is encountering a banshee in outer space. That’s how Frank’s work approaches me. As I try to write about its seductive magnitude, it pays me back with equal storm and stress. I may as well be precariously perched on a deck, pitching and heaving as massive waves swell ahead, scooping up the momentum of a seething ocean while sucking me into a muffled and sunken trough. If there’s the prospect of an obliterating shipwreck or of drowning, there’s also the rapture of inundation. This is the stage for an existential projection rather than a histrionic gesture, which prompts me to an even riskier figure of speech. I can’t help but compare this state of possession to the position of the ship’s captain (the ‘master’) in Stephane Mallarme’s radically inscrutable poem Un coup de des (A Throw of the Dice). The captain whose vessel – pictured by its more prosaic exegetical commentators – is about to be swallowed in a maelstrom and who responds with an equally unfathomable but ostentatious gesture: a throw of dice ... as if defiantly, perhaps resentfully, shaking his fist at the engulfing tempest.
Okay, that may sound an oddly obscure if not pretentious comparison. But bear with me. Dale Frank’s art is tempestuous, and if we’re attuned to its agility we plunge and soar with its wave fronts of elegance and vulgarity. There’s no avoiding Frank’s pleasurably guilty taste for garish, scandalous, synthetic colour and the sort of slick, sleek tack and ostentation of disco psychedelics, the twinkling opulence of mirrored ballrooms or Comic-Con resorts, flamboyant hotel lobby decor and casino fantasias. But there’s little value in spotting allusions like these as if smiling at in-joke appropriations of kitsch, because much as he might indulge these trappings of decadent ornamentation, he deforms their gloss into twisted abstractions – engorged or etiolated, sprouting tumorous and tumescent fungal growths with seeping blisters, draped with threads of saliva or glutinous webs of rot, of slime, of uterine fluid, of caul. Those viscous monsoons and hemorrhages of opalescent varnish sway between phantasmic horror and rapture. But even when strokes and loops of greeting card glitter frivolously arc across pink or mauve panels in auroral calligraphy, they’re nonetheless drifting in an etheric treacle, a mystic molten looking glass where they flicker as if they were will-o-the-wisp incandescent shimmers signalling the advance of treacherous ghosts. There’s always a febrile and succulent corruption swimming within this atmosphere.
In its oscillations between these poles of mayhem and mannerism, peril and finesse, ferocious comedy and visionary clairvoyance – automatistic, autistic – Frank’s art never ceases to put me in a state of crisis. Herman Melville’s errant narrator of Moby-Dick (1851), Ishmael, puts it this way: it is the stake for being enticed to ‘sail on forbidden seas, and land on barbarous shores.’ That’s exhilarating, even if it demands a wager - like the crisis of the besieged dice- thrower in Mallarme’s Un coup de des. Crisis puts me in the place of a critic, rather than that of curator or collector or connoisseur (all of whom, unlike a critic, arrive on the scene certain of their judgments and rewards). I’m spellbound on that ship careening into the maelstrom summoned by Frank’s fiercely enchanting daemon, by his unrepentant Prospero ... or by the prodigious silhouette of a great white whale looming on the horizon. And like an awestruck passenger on that doomed ship, I would finally find the words to say not in panic but as a fearless enticement: ‘Hell is empty / And all the devils are here.’ Dale Frank’s art opens the jaws of an abyss, to jubilantly let out its molten spectres. (‘But that is what everyone says ...’ adds Dale sardonically in the margin.)
– Edward Colless, ‘Call me Ishmael’, in ‘Dale Frank, Artist: Artworks 2006–2023’, 2024, p. 5-10
![Dale Frank He was a dick, and always was a dick, his gallery dealer told him, 2024; Translucent dye, epoxyglass on perspex; 200 x 180 cm; enquire](https://images.roslynoxley9.com.au/w1/N7/ce776f81-968f-4c1a-ba86-f1e8d8f32bfe/hero-960.jpg)
Translucent dye, epoxyglass on perspex
200 x 180 cm
![Dale Frank Greg knew for a bloke he had exceptionally large nipples and a really exceptionally large bum, 2024; Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, epoxyglass on perspex; 160 x 120 cm; enquire](https://images.roslynoxley9.com.au/Jy/Uf/a6e12e84-7eff-4aee-9ad1-6eadb30aa11e/thumb-480.jpg)
Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, epoxyglass on perspex
160 x 120 cm
![Dale Frank Sharon’s predictions for the future included domestic pets for organ replacements, home based liposuction parties, and all films having a G Rating, 2023; Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, epoxyglass on perspex; 160 x 120 cm; enquire](https://images.roslynoxley9.com.au/zX/rn/0b40d0cf-e928-4676-a994-34ee3d00931c/thumb-480.jpg)
Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, epoxyglass on perspex
160 x 120 cm
![Dale Frank She saw everything, heard everything, as a quotation, a comment about her looks, 2024; Translucent dye, epoxyglass on perspex; 200 x 200 cm; enquire](https://images.roslynoxley9.com.au/hH/v3/05ed8fd5-5dce-4e28-afca-c3a65db203d5/thumb-480.jpg)
Translucent dye, epoxyglass on perspex
200 x 200 cm
![Dale Frank Everything always seemed to lead him to nothing, 2024; Translucent dye, epoxyglass on perspex; 200 x 200 cm; enquire](https://images.roslynoxley9.com.au/Kk/HR/9d601e44-b4ef-4928-bbdd-153c3dab5977/thumb-480.jpg)
Translucent dye, epoxyglass on perspex
200 x 200 cm
![Dale Frank Bradley desired almost every guy he saw, so long as he could imagine they were desperate for money, 2024; Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, epoxyglass on perspex; 200 x 200 cm; enquire](https://images.roslynoxley9.com.au/ei/am/1c31540d-9720-4bf9-93f3-734d978a02cd/thumb-480.jpg)
Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, epoxyglass on perspex
200 x 200 cm
![Dale Frank Little did Brian comprehend that much of his daily fixation for cherry cheesecake from Petite Patisserie in the Gordon Shopping Centre, was due to his secret, unrequited attraction to Lyle behind the counter, 2024; Translucent dye, epoxyglass on perspex; 200 x 200 cm; enquire](https://images.roslynoxley9.com.au/s6/34/22051196-f2df-49ee-9204-bc8eb0649537/thumb-480.jpg)
Translucent dye, epoxyglass on perspex
200 x 200 cm
![Dale Frank As it went, he could not forget their awkward fondling and groping in the front seat of his taxi, all of fifteen years ago, 2024; Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, epoxyglass on perspex; 200 x 200 cm; enquire](https://images.roslynoxley9.com.au/FY/SD/68897853-2ee3-41a6-b64f-e10ad87199c4/thumb-480.jpg)
Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, epoxyglass on perspex
200 x 200 cm
![Dale Frank As it was, he felt he lived between countless worlds each demanding something of him, but reality was a foreign alien world, a continuous late afternoon unattended Wake demanding the retelling of ever more embellished stories and his numbing succumbing consumption, 2024; Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, easycast, epoxyglass on perspex; 200 x 180 cm; enquire](https://images.roslynoxley9.com.au/86/sj/88ff3b94-7109-4a62-8a43-df1fa24f6fb6/thumb-480.jpg)
Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, easycast, epoxyglass on perspex
200 x 180 cm
![Dale Frank Emma loved the thought of just for once being herself, it was a boarding pass she had long thought about, but then her inflated ego drowning in her own beauty would spew out copious objections, 2024; Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, epoxyglass on perspex; 200 x 180 cm; enquire](https://images.roslynoxley9.com.au/MK/2P/94b6c5f4-ef1e-4a05-ba17-0dc0ad09b7aa/thumb-480.jpg)
Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, epoxyglass on perspex
200 x 180 cm
![Dale Frank He always said he was happy, 2024; Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, epoxyglass on perspex; 200 x 200 cm; enquire](https://images.roslynoxley9.com.au/ak/WZ/e5c3d939-4e06-47d6-9ed2-19027c4989e8/thumb-480.jpg)
Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, epoxyglass on perspex
200 x 200 cm
![Dale Frank Greg loved wearing pink and lilac skirts and blouses as it made his think black chest and belly hair appear more feminine, 2024; Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, epoxyglass on perspex; 200 x 150 cm; enquire](https://images.roslynoxley9.com.au/wi/By/bce2e71c-9bcc-49a1-940d-3a5e2f5ad92f/thumb-480.jpg)
Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, epoxyglass on perspex
200 x 150 cm
![Dale Frank As it was, he pondered his return to his own reality, a limited number 2 plate only catered event, and a guest list yet without any acceptances, 2024; Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, easycast, epoxyglass on perspex; 200 x 180 cm; enquire](https://images.roslynoxley9.com.au/Fx/H0/900effbf-1f9e-489d-8945-f0a61380c27a/thumb-480.jpg)
Translucent dye, colour powder pigment, easycast, epoxyglass on perspex
200 x 180 cm
![Dale Frank His creative inspirations were sourced from his morning bowels while his social interactions were sourced from his stalking evening antagonism, 2024; Translucent dye, epoxyglass on perspex; 200 x 260 cm; enquire](https://images.roslynoxley9.com.au/SE/SX/ab71cd63-d510-49eb-b349-9043152c76a6/hero-960.jpg)
Translucent dye, epoxyglass on perspex
200 x 260 cm
![Dale Frank He lived on the KFC Classic Zinger burger with cheese and bacon, 2024; Translucent dye, epoxyglass on perspex; 200 x 150 cm; enquire](https://images.roslynoxley9.com.au/LL/IB/7175b244-2d99-48b0-9454-f33bfbb208e3/thumb-480.jpg)
Translucent dye, epoxyglass on perspex
200 x 150 cm
![Dale Frank She would most often like to turn up to her shifts at Hush Escorts when she had bouts of recurring Herpes, 2024; Translucent dye, colour powder pigments, epoxyglass on perspex; 200 x 150 cm; enquire](https://images.roslynoxley9.com.au/sb/O3/643111f0-32d4-4826-8cf9-a5104f30b0cf/thumb-480.jpg)
Translucent dye, colour powder pigments, epoxyglass on perspex
200 x 150 cm
![Dale Frank There is no such thing as good press 1, 2024; Translucent dye, quick easycast, epoxyglass on perspex; 150 x 100 cm; enquire](https://images.roslynoxley9.com.au/Th/Vk/afdca56a-e4ad-451e-b2bd-25d2b9033873/thumb-480.jpg)
Translucent dye, quick easycast, epoxyglass on perspex
150 x 100 cm
Dale Frank Alicia’s thirteen puppies in an old Adidas bag
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2024
Dale Frank Growers and Showers
National Art School, 2024
Group Show, The First 40 Years
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2024
Dale Frank Jacob took seven minutes before he could piss
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2023
Dale Frank this is a floatation device, this is not a life saving device
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2022
Dale Frank The Omega Variant Show
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2021
Dale Frank Shaun taught piano
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2020
Dale Frank
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2019
Group Show, The Like Button
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2018-19
Dale Frank
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2018
Group Show, State of Play
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2017
Dale Frank
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2017
Group Show, Shut Up and Paint
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, 2016-17
Group Show
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2016
Dale Frank SABCO PEROXIDE
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2016
Group Show
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2015
Dale Frank Toby Jugs
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2014
Dale Frank Nobody's Sweetie
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2013
Dale Frank WACKY DUCK FLUFFY TOM
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2011
Dale Frank Charlie Cox
123 Albert Street, Brisbane, 2011
Dale Frank Ice Age
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2010
Dale Frank Some Boring Paintings
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2008
Dale Frank Sore Throat
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2007
Dale Frank
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2006
Group Show
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2005
Dale Frank Modern Art Paintings For Sale
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2004
Dale Frank Views from the Bruce Highway
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2003
Group Show, Dirty Dozen
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2002
Group Show, The First 20 Years
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2002
Dale Frank
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2001
Group Show, All Stars
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2000
Dale Frank John Cougar Mellencamp A Sydney Lap Dog the Perfect Drug
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2000
Dale Frank A few paintings in the small room
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1999
Dale Frank Paintings
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1998
Dale Frank MOVIE SHOW: new collage
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1997
Dale Frank Pool room
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1996
Dale Frank Social Realism
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1996
Group Show, Stockroom
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1995
Dale Frank I'm Only Dancing
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1995
Dale Frank
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1992
Dale Frank Recent small drawings
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1992
Group Show, Christmas show
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1991
Dale Frank Recent Work
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1991
Dale Frank
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1990
Group Show
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1990
Dale Frank
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1989
Dale Frank
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1986
Group Show, The Forbidden Object
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1986
Dale Frank
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1985
Group Show, Australian Visions
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 1984
Dale Frank Death
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1984
Group Show, Dreams and Nightmares
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1984
Dale Frank Punchline
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1983