I really enjoy learning about history, and one of the more fascinating figures I learned about is Australia’s Ned Kelly. He’s a sort of Robin Hood or Jesse James. You can learn more about him here. He’s got the quite the story, including the homemade armor he made during his last stand against authorities.
One of the things I find fascinating about him is the split view of him in his home nation – half of the country loves him, the other hates him.
Naturally, he has featured in many books and films. Mick Jagger – yes, that Mick Jagger – portrayed him in a movie. One of my first exposures to him was the 2003 film Ned Kelly, starring Heath Ledger (my favorite actor), Orlando Bloom, Naomi Watts and Geoffrey Rush. The film is based on the 1991 book Our Sunshine, by Robert Drewe.
What makes the book unique (and worth the read) is that it’s not a straight up biography, but rather a sort of romantic recreation of the inner life of Ned Kelly. I enjoyed the book and got insight into the man, and decided to find more info about him.
One of the coolest things I found is the cover to the first edition of Drewe’s book.
I don’t consider myself an expert on art, or even a connoisseur, but there are things that just speak to me, and this cover practically screamed at me.
The sun reminds me of Luke Skywalker looking out at the twin suns of Tattooine and longing to be elsewhere (which I did as a teen) and the act of standing up on a horse – something you shouldn’t do, but living your life the way you want to. And that’s what Ned did as well.
That and the fact that orange is prominent.
Online shopping was not as prevalent in 2004 as it is now, so it was very hard to find information on where to find that first edition or a picture of that cover.
Time has not made that search easier. But I am determined to one day find that and add it to my collection, for it speaks to me and sparks my imagination.
After all, isn’t that was good art does?