Artistic Kelly

Many visual artists have engaged with Ned Kelly in their works. During the mid 1940s, the artist Norman Lindsay brought his own nationalistic vision to Kelly, which expressed strength of character and determination against the odds. At the same time, and in stark contrast to Lindsay's conservative portrayals, the young Sidney Nolan was developing something radically different. His contemporary black square set against the brilliant Australian landscape encapsulated both the essence of the artist and his culture. Like Nolan, Albert Tucker used the Kelly story to invoke a reflective gaze and a revision of what it means to be Australian. Other artists who have engaged with Kelly include Joy Hester, Donald Friend, Clement Meadmore, William Kelly, Mike Parr and Juan Davila, all of whom are represented in the exhibition.

Ned Kelly has also been incorporated into the stories or Dreaming of a number of Aboriginal cultures such as the Yarralin and Gurindji people in north west Australia. Aboriginal artist, Freddie Timms (Ngarrmaliny Janama) has interpreted Ned Kelly from this perspective, identifying with Kelly through his resistance to British authority, through his grandmother's association with the Aboriginal bushranger Major. Timms painted the first of his Ned Kelly paintings after visiting the Old Melbourne Gaol where he saw the suit of Kelly Gang armour on display.