Night Patrols (Around Maliana) - Left PanelJon Cattapan · 2009

  • Painting mediumOil On Canvas
  • Medium typeWallArt
  • Creation date2009
  • Art periodModern
  • Dimensions120.0 x 300.0 cm
  • MuseumAustralian War Memorial

Jon Cattapan (1956 –)

Explore the abstract cityscapes & war art of Jon Cattapan, an Australian artist known for his layered paintings capturing modern conflict & urban life. Featured in major galleries like NGV & AGNSW.

Australian War Memorial (Canberra, Australia)

Experience the profound history of Australia at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, where moving personal artifacts and the iconic Hall of Memory offer an unforgettable journey through sacrifice and national remembrance.

This triptych represents the culmination of the ideas depicted in the Carbon group monoprints and night vision studies completed by Jon Cattapan (b.1956) as part of his official artist commission to Timor-Leste in 2008 depicting the service of Australian peacekeepers.A transparent frieze of soldiers is dispersed across the bottom of the triptych; it is as if they are moving like ghosts across the field of vision at night. There is a sense of dislocation: the soldiers are bemused, not quite knowing what they are doing in this strange land, and the seductive colours of the multilayered background overwhelm them, yet at the same time seem to draw them into an endless landscape. The red tones appear as hotspots, areas of potential danger, and the green tones, night surveillance.Overlaid on the work is a contour map of the Maliana area, just a few kilometres from the border with Indonesia, similar to those shown at daily briefings or used by ADF patrols. This layer creates for the soldiers a tenuous link to Timor–Leste. Without it, they could be anywhere, in almost any peacekeeping location.

About this artwork

  • Title: Night Patrols (Around Maliana) - Left Panel
  • Artist: Jon Cattapan
  • Year: 2009
  • Original dimensions: 120.0 x 300.0 cm
  • Format: Portrait
  • Copyright status: Under copyright
  • Where to see it: Australian War Memorial
  • Medium: Oil On Canvas
  • Color palette: Dark
  • Main color: Espresso

Questions & Answers

Can "Night Patrols (Around Maliana) - Left Panel" by Jon Cattapan, held at the Australian War Memorial, be legally reproduced?

The original "Night Patrols (Around Maliana) - Left Panel" is at the Australian War Memorial, and the work is still protected by copyright.

What mood would "Night Patrols (Around Maliana) - Left Panel" bring to a space?

With its serene mood, "Night Patrols (Around Maliana) - Left Panel" is suggested for a living room.

How old was Jon Cattapan when creating "Night Patrols (Around Maliana) - Left Panel" in 2009?

Jon Cattapan was 53 years old when creating "Night Patrols (Around Maliana) - Left Panel" in 2009. The age is computed from the artist's birth year, 1956.

What space matches the colors of "Night Patrols (Around Maliana) - Left Panel" by Jon Cattapan?

With its dark palette, "Night Patrols (Around Maliana) - Left Panel" by Jon Cattapan is recommended for a living room. The colors are part of the reason for this suggestion.

When was "Night Patrols (Around Maliana) - Left Panel" made?

"Night Patrols (Around Maliana) - Left Panel" dates from 2009. The date places the work within Jon Cattapan's career and its era.

What are the medium and dimensions of "Night Patrols (Around Maliana) - Left Panel" by Jon Cattapan?

The original "Night Patrols (Around Maliana) - Left Panel" by Jon Cattapan is an oil on canvas work measuring 120 x 300 cm. Technique and size describe the original object.

Who created "Night Patrols (Around Maliana) - Left Panel"?

The artist behind "Night Patrols (Around Maliana) - Left Panel" is Jon Cattapan. The work is catalogued under Jon Cattapan's name.

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