Frank's multifaceted practice can only be defined by his challenging of the connotation 'art', and is best summarised in his statement: 'All definitions are dangerous, even this one. But, the golden rule is that there are no golden rules. And, every exit is an entry to somewhere else...' (Dale Frank, New paintings, Realities Gallery, Melbourne, 1988, n.p.). As an artist who emerged during the so-called crisis in painting during the 1970s and 1980s Frank is aware of, and is able to exploit the limitations and potential of the medium, recently proclaiming that it 'does not take its own legitimacy for granted' (Dale Frank, Dale Frank - Toby jugs, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney, 2014, n.p.).