Provenance:
Private collection Queensland

The first Central Australia series was inspired after Nolan flew over and later travelled Central and Western Australia in 1949 and 1950, observing up-close regions such as the MacDonnell Ranges, the Musgrave Ranges, Uluru and the Kimberley. This relatively new mode of travel allowed Nolan to see the landscape in its entirety; the way the geography and tone alters so rapidly yet subtly. Like the earlier paintings, Nolan has adopted the aerial and panoramic perspective in these three landscapes. Nolan’s swift and simplified impressions faithfully capture the structure, range and serenity of the Australian desert. From the highest peaks, to the rough ridges, along the sweeping lakes, Nolan’s translucent outlines appear to glow from within. The luminous colours shimmer and flow into each other, brilliantly outlining the construction of the landscape and the changing patterns of light that occur throughout the day.
CH