ARTIST:
TITLE: Ned Kelly 1
MEDIUM: Japanese woodblock print
SIZE: 45*31cm
EDITION: 25
FRAMED: No
Speaking of the Ned Kelly series, Kristensen says that these works exist and work for him on many different layers mainly symbolic ones.
His use of colour, compositional elements and narrative content are all tightly woven around the central pillars of Kelly (the black box) and the circle which Kristensen says expands into a generic symbol for the driving influence of all the women in Kelly's life and his loyalty to family.
The circle hovers behind the tree as the three policeman are slain at Stringybark Creek,and hangs like a halo above his head as he gains notoriety in 'Our Sunshine' and finally clings close to his breast as he lies bleeding in 'Bloody Ned Kelly'. Ned wore his mother's hand knitted cap under his helmet for comfort.
In the first print of the Kelly series Ned and his mother Ellen are shown in a blank field that represents the family on their little selection of land.