Burke and Wills Expedition V 1975

Editor: This is Sir Sidney Nolan's *Burke and Wills Expedition V*, part of the Tate Collection. The colour palette really lends this piece a dramatic and desolate feel. What symbols stand out to you? Curator: The moon, stark and unwavering, is a potent symbol here. Throughout history, the moon represents cyclical change, the unconscious, and navigation, both physical and spiritual. It illuminates the unknown, doesn't it? Editor: Definitely, and paired with the explorers on camels, it speaks to the daunting journey into the vast Australian outback. Curator: Exactly. The figures themselves become icons of ambition and the vulnerability of human endeavors against the backdrop of an unforgiving landscape. The imagery lingers in the cultural memory of Australian history. Editor: I see the connection between Nolan's representation of the moon and how it can represent the unconscious mind. Thanks for pointing that out. Curator: My pleasure. The painting prompts us to ponder the emotional weight we assign to historical events and the landscapes they unfold within.