“Yep, I care about people, ...and that's what she said"
– Dale Frank, 2023
Exhibition Dates: 2 June – 15 July 2023
“Yep, I care about people, …and that’s what she said.”
Dale Frank - 2023
From a distance we have become familiar with the people in Dale Frank's titles, their complexities continue to embed depths of character into the artists paintings. Some story arcs span decades, chapters long at times, while with others we’ve only had a few short years to get to know them. Whether it be a long-standing relationship or a recent acquaintance, the titles imbue us with a great sense of familiarity towards these people. As flawed as they seem, they are relatable.
But then again, they are characters, narratives in multiple simultaneous streamed Stan like stories, not unlike our own lives, disconnected, fractured, meeting together, at yet another Dale Frank exhibition, each daring to ask,….like Frank does, …..could we have not done more.
Laura, Jason and Evelyn are some of the returning cast for Franks 36th solo exhibition at Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery.
Laura last checked in two years ago while she was working at the MCA. Her questionable behaviour of pleasuring herself at work (2021) clearly resulted in a termination of her position at the Sydney institution. Gossip spread quicker than Laura’s hairy thighs (2021), resulting in a forced career change and a move interstate to Melbourne. While caring in nature, Laura’s desires still see her seeking arousal at work (2023). But She had to drive all the way to Albury to return a call and say she could not make it for dinner in Carlton with the dealer that was hitting on her. If things don’t work out with her new job, there is always Adelaide.
Jason has been finding it hard to keep his impulsions at bay. A kleptomaniac and secret crossdresser at first (2021), he has had trouble keeping a steady girlfriend over the years, always developing a closer bond with his girlfriends’ father (2021). His pool construction company has been rather successful, yet his eagerness to bond with his young male apprentices has landed him in some deep water (2023).
As far as we know Evelyn and Belinda could still be Surry Hills (2021) and appear to be working out some issues, but that’s Belinda’s problem, not Evelyn’s (2023).
Like the characters, Dale Frank's practice has been on display for over the past four decades, if we choose to follow them. From a distance we have watched it grow, glow and evolve, yet always familiar, always completely new, always changing, never disappointing, constantly relatable.
Frank was once asked in a group interview, …...I really like your earlier work but not so much your work now.
Frank said: … YOU were 8 years old you, you were in an elevator with your mother, and a 38 yo man smiled at you. You never forgot that. When you were 14 you liked a boy at school who you did not yet understand, but he had the same smile and you lost your virginity. When you were 19 you went backpacking in Europe with a guy, the love of your life, who had them same smile. When you were 26 you married a guy, who had the same smile, but it did not work out.
All the time you did not know you were looking for that same connection, that same smile. You have grown, you are 40 yo, but your basic desires are the same. That desire for the same smile always existed…. But your growth had socially complicated and blinded you to how you read and saw that inital smile you saw so many years ago in that elevator with your mother. Your mother is now hospitalised with Dementia in St Vincents, and Evelyn, you are now free.
Such is the value of Art, our stories are free. Despite being laden down with the baggage of others, art is easy enough for us for those with strength to carry it forward, especially at this time.
Andrew Moran and Dale Frank

colour pigments in epoxyglass, epoxyglass, on Perspex
300 x 200 cm

colour pigments in epoxyglass, epoxyglass, on Perspex
300 x 200 cm

colour pigments in epoxyglass, epoxyglass, on Perspex
200 x 260 cm

colour pigments in epoxyglass, epoxyglass, on Perspex
200 x 200 cm

colour pigments in epoxyglass, epoxyglass, on Perspex
200 x 200 cm

colour pigments in epoxyglass, epoxyglass, on Perspex
200 x 200 cm

colour pigments in epoxyglass, epoxyglass, on Perspex
200 x 200 cm

colour pigments in epoxyglass, epoxyglass, on Perspex
200 x 200 cm

colour pigments in epoxyglass, epoxyglass, on Perspex
200 x 200 cm

colour pigments in easycast, epoxyglass, on Perspex
200 x 180 cm

colour pigments in easycast resin, epoxyglass, on Perspex
200 x 200 cm

colour pigments in easycast, epoxyglass, on Perspex
200 x 200 cm

colour pigments in easycast, epoxyglass, on Perspex
200 x 180 cm

colour pigments in easycast, epoxyglass, on perspex
200 x 180 cm

colour pigments in epoxyglass, epoxyglass, on Perspex
200 x 200 cm

colour pigments in epoxyglass, epoxyglass, on Perspex
100 x 200 cm

colour pigments in epoxyglass, epoxyglass, on perspex
100 x 200 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