Studies for portrait of Nick Cave, by Howard Arkley, 1999, synthetic polymer paint, felt-tipped pen, pencil and photocopy, State Library Victoria, copyright of the Estate of Howard Arkley, courtesy Kalli Rolfe Contemporary Art

Art, music and fashion were closely intertwined in the DIY post-punk world of inner Melbourne. Artists Howard Arkley and Jenny Watson were regulars in the anarchic crowds that followed bands like The Boys Next Door and Whirlywirld at venues such as St Kilda’s Crystal Ballroom. Nick Cave had been one of Watson’s art students at Caulfield Technical College and she introduced him and his music to her circle of artist friends. In 1999, Arkley was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to paint Cave’s portrait, the only true portrait that he would ever create and one that captures an essence of rock-star heroism as much as an accurate likeness.