Show Notes
The May 1944 edition of Angry Penguins trumpeted the discovery of a major Australian poetic talent – Ern Malley. Nolan painted the cover illustration, Arabian Tree, from one of the lines, and reflects here on his involvement.
More from Sidney Nolan
Nolan painted some 75 versions of Leda and the Swan. Curator Barry Pearce offers some insights into the artist’s motivations for painting the series.
In Kelly and armour we finally see Kelly freed from his armour. Here, curator Barry Pearce finds some parallels between Nolan’s preoccupation with Ned Kelly and the poet Arthur Rimbaud.
African landscape, Rimbaud at Harar, Baboon, and Head of Rimbaud take us back to the awakening of Nolan’s inner eye during his youth, and forward to his last landscapes.
Sidney Nolan recounts the experiences that led him to create this series while Curator Barry Pearce argues why Riverbend may be seen as Nolan’s greatest masterpiece.
The Army slouch hat and the blue eyes give the game away: this portrait of Ern Malley is Nolan confronting his demons – or perhaps his critics.