Sidney Nolan’s famous Ned Kelly series is on display as part of an exhibition of work from the artist’s formative years, now showing at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. But senior curator Denise Mimmocchi walks us through the exhibition to highlight a lesser-known earlier work, which Nolan created when he was conscripted in the army, stationed at Victoria’s Wimmera region in 1943. Mimmocchi explains why Kiata was a breakthrough painting for Nolan, and also a breakthrough moment for Australian modern art