Sidney Nolan has long been considered one of, if not the most, significant Australian modernist artists ever, with his works including paintings depicting The Kelly Gang inspiring artists across the world.

One of the ways he became so popular was his involvement with the media, specifically magazines.

The Canberra Museum + Gallery’s new exhibition, Public Impressions: Sidney Nolan in Popular Media, explores how Nolan’s work broke new ground by featuring in the likes of The Australian Women’s Weekly, Walkabout, Australasian Post and Pix.

Public Impressions brings together significant works and rarely seen archival material to show how Nolan’s public reputation was not shaped by paintings alone, but by the journalists, photographs, editors, collectors and critics that carried his work into Australian life.

Australian National University senior lecturer Art History & Curatorship and exhibition curator Dr Kate Warren said the exhibition was a deep dive into Nolan’s relationship with media.

“Public Impressions offers a new way of thinking about Nolan’s relationship with mass media,” she said.

“This collaboration with CMAG has been an exciting way to present my research in different formats and to new audiences.

“I hope visitors come away with a new understanding of how artists like Sidney Nolan engaged actively with popular media of their day, as well as the diverse ways that magazines presented Australian art to the everyday lives of their readers.”

The new exhibition is part of an ongoing series of exhibitions run by Canberra Museum + Gallery, which manages the Nolan Collection on behalf of the Australian Government.

The program includes exhibitions, conservation projects, performances and events exploring Nolan’s artistic legacy, his connection to Canberra and the continuing significance of his gift to the Australian people.

ACT Galleries, Museums and Heritage director Dr Anna Wong said the exhibition added an important perspective to CMAG’s Nolan50 anniversary program.

“Public Impressions shows us a different side of Sidney Nolan, not only as one of Australia’s most influential modern artists, but as an artist who understood the power of media, public image and popular culture.

“As part of Nolan50, this exhibition helps us look beyond the paintings themselves to consider how Nolan’s work reached people across Australia and contributed to a shared understanding of our national identity.

“The exhibition places original artworks beside the media that brought awareness of them to a mass audience, revealing how Nolan was an enthusiastic participant in popular media to build a connection with audiences, shape his public image and develop an international following.”

The Canberra Museum and Gallery is on the corner of London Circuit and City Square, Canberra City. It is open seven days a week, Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday and Sunday 12 pm to 4 pm. The exhibition is open from 6 June until September.