ARTIST:
TITLE:
Stringybark Creek
MEDIUM: Japanese woodblock print
SIZE: 45*31cm
EDITION: 25
FRAMED: No
The Kelly family were poor and disadvantaged and the daughter Kate had raised the ire of Constable Alexander Fitzpatrick by refusing his advances. To make matters worse Ellen Kelly had defended her daughter with a shovel and landed a glancing blow to his wrist. He filed a report of attempted murder and Ellen and her baby daughter were imprisoned for three years with a warrant out for Ned and brother Dan.
"They (the police) expected to win a one-sided gun battle and instead they were ambushed. Unaware that Ned was alert to their plans the police set up camp in a clearing at Stringybark Creek and a pair left to search the bush. With the advantage of surprise Ned emerged from the trees and called for surrender, but gunfire followed. One officer was shot dead while the other surrendered. When the two searchers returned they also choose to return fire rather than surrender and they were also shot dead.
In this print Ned is seen emerging from the dark side of the trunk of the Stringybark tree, stepping into the light that would bring him infamy. No other police force in Australia had ever suffered three deaths in a day."