Expansive Ground: Sidney Nolan in the Wimmera

Arguably one of Australia’s most important artists, Sidney Nolan is synonymous with the “Heide Circle” and Australian modernism. In 1942 Nolan painted in Dimboola whilst being stationed in the area on army duty during World War II. The Wimmera had a profound effect on Nolan’s development as an artist. It was during this time he created some of his most iconic paintings. This exhibition explores how Nolan saw the Wimmera region, its landscapes and people, as he developed a versatile visual language that re-envisaged the Australian landscape.

Selected from sketches & paintings created between 1942- 1943, Expansive ground: Sidney Nolan in the Wimmera, has been curated from the National Gallery of Australia collection, the Heide Museum of Modern Art collection and the Horsham Regional Art Gallery Collection.

Presented by Horsham Regional Art Gallery, with support from Principal Loan Partner, the National Gallery of Australia, and Heide Museum of Modern Art. The National Gallery’s Regional Initiatives Program is generously supported by Major Partner AWM Electrical and Data Suppliers.

Image: Sidney Nolan Dimboola 1942, alkyd resin on cardboard, 62 x 74.7 cm, Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne, Bequest of John and Sunday Reed 1982 © The Sidney Nolan Trust. All rights reserved. DACS/Copyright Agency, 2022.