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Sidney Nolan – A Life

Sidney Nolan, was like most people, a man of many parts that made up the whole: that these parts appeared to change and move with the moment, or the time or the muse, were the most compelling components of what eventually made him an artist of note; an artist who appeared to see life in the abstract.

In this biography penned by Nancy Underhill she presents the many diverse aspects of the man, to create once again a man of challenge, substance and complexity, who in turn charmed and irritated all he encountered.

That Nolan had undoubted charm goes without saying as the wealth of  evidence available presents: that he was man who cultivated spontaneity in his work is there for all to see, to relate too and understand that in his creativity he defied the standards that were considered art.

This made his works slow to catch on to the general public and it was not until later in his life that his pieces became sought after. His series of Ned Kelly are works well known to many and although stylised, are stark in the reality; a portrayal of Australia’s most infamous bushranger.

To say Nolan was controversial and flamboyant, both personally and within his art, is perhaps the greatest accolade that can be given to this man of prodigious talent, as controversy was something he courted all his life. Spending many years in Britain he made an art form out of his peripatetic lifestyle, cultivated intrigue, took on new fields within his art and set out to enjoy life. He returned intermittently to Australia to undertake specific projects but never to remain for lengthy periods.

He died at Whitechapel Court in 1992 leaving behind him a legacy of emerging Australian abstract art and so much more, which still in the year 2015 demands to be viewed, analysed and appreciated for exactly what it is, works pushing at all times the boundaries of the circumspect.

For those newcomers to the arts, or readers who enjoy a good biography, the chronology at the end of the book should perhaps be read first as it gives and excellent skeleton of the man, his work and his various locations which, without some outline, makes following the life and times of this remarkable person somewhat confusing.

But retrospectively, this may be the finale he intended at all times, as it appears he deliberately cultivated the unexpected in life, therefore it follows that in reflection the same rules should apply after this death.

Nancy Underhill has tackled the prodigious subject matter with a warm touch, a light hand and desire to finally if at all possible, discover who this “illusive and controversial” man Sidney Nolan really was behind the façade that was his public face

Author Nancy Underhill
Publisher New South Publishers
ISBN 9781921410888
Website http://www.newsouthbooks.com.au