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Sidney Nolan: 'Kiata', c1943

Image Sidney Nolan: 'Kiata', c1943

TLF ID M012589

This resource includes an enlargeable image of the painting 'Kiata' by Sidney Nolan and catalogue information about the painting. There is also a video with audio commentary and corresponding onscreen text that provides an interpretation of the painting, and information about the artist's views. The painting represents the sparseness and beauty of the Australian landscape through the use of strong complementary colours, dominant horizontal lines for the land, and contrasting verticals for the man-made objects.

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Educational details

Educational value
  • This is a resource of great value for the Responding strand of the Visual Arts curriculum in upper-primary and secondary schooling. This is especially so for content descriptions that may refer to students responding to the visual arts works of Australian artists and considering the broader contexts of their works and their contribution to the development of Australian art. The resource gives students the opportunity to examine the painting closely and to read and listen to a senior curator's response to the work.
  • 'Kiata' (about 1943) is important for its historical and cultural significance and for the efforts by artists such as Sidney Nolan (1917-1992) to develop a uniquely Australian style of representation, particularly of the Australian landscape. As described in the soundtrack and onscreen text, Nolan was influenced by the colour palette and style of the impressionists as he strove to establish his own abstract style.
  • The resource may also have some relevance for the Literacy and Critical and creative thinking general capabilities.
  • 'Kiata' is a significant painting in the career of Sidney Nolan as it was a forerunner of his iconic Ned Kelly series. His style of representation is exemplified by flat, colourful shapes and abstract patterns that prompt the viewer to consider the vast emptiness of the Australian landscape.
Year level

5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10

Topics Regional art Australian art Cultural imperialism Cultural interaction Painting Arts industry Composition (Visual arts) Artists Art exhibitions Visual arts Art movements Art materials Landscape art Culture Visual arts portfolios Painters Audiences Mixed media Cultural contexts Historical settings (Narratives) Social settings (Narratives) Cultural awareness Cultural identity Multimedia Narratives Settings (Narratives) Symbolism (Art movements) Art themes Artistic purpose
Learning area
  • The Arts
  • Visual Arts

Other details

Contributors
  • Contributor
  • Name: Education Services Australia
  • Organization: Education Services Australia
  • Description: Data manager
  • Address: VIC, AUSTRALIA
  • URL: http://www.esa.edu.au/
  • Copyright Holder
  • Name: National Gallery of Australia
  • Organization: National Gallery of Australia
  • URL: http://www.artsearch.nga.gov.au/
  • Publisher
  • Name: National Gallery of Australia
  • Organization: National Gallery of Australia
  • Description: Publisher
  • URL: http://www.artsearch.nga.gov.au/
  • Resource metadata contributed by
  • Name: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Organisation: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Address: AUSTRALIA
  • URL: www.esa.edu.au
Access profile
  • Unknown
Learning Resource Type
  • Image
  • Text
  • Video
Rights
  • © National Gallery of Australia 2009 (except where otherwise indicated). This material may be copied, downloaded, communicated and displayed free of charge for non-commercial educational use until 31 December 2015, provided all acknowledgements associated with the material are retained.