Nolan, Sir Sidney

Nolan, Sir Sidney

(born April 22, 1917, Melbourne, Austl.—died Nov. 27, 1992, London, Eng.) Australian artist. Early in his career he created greatly simplified abstractions. In the mid 1940s he began to paint the local desolate desert landscapes in a more representational style. In his mature work he often applied unusual media—such as polyvinyl acetate—to masonite, glass, or canvas. Apart from his landscapes, most of his works dealt with Australian historical or legendary characters and events—notably, the bushranger Ned Kelly.