Ned Kelly 1973

Curator: Sir Sidney Nolan painted this work, titled "Ned Kelly". It resides here at the Tate Collections. Editor: Oh, wow, it's got that end-of-days feeling, all scorched earth and ghostly trees. Curator: Nolan repeatedly depicted the famous Australian outlaw Ned Kelly. He became a folk hero, resisting colonial authority in the 19th century. This adds a layer of anticolonial resistance, right? Editor: Right, the landscape itself feels like it's fighting back. It's stark, almost dreamlike. The color palette is so fierce, it's hard to look away. Curator: Absolutely, and consider the cultural narrative Nolan is tapping into. It’s not just about Kelly's crimes but also the social injustices he faced. Editor: I’m seeing the rugged beauty and the raw deal all at once. It really makes you think. Curator: Indeed, art provides us with a way to re-evaluate such histories. Editor: It's a real gut-punch that lingers, isn't it?