Country Road Makers 1923 

Editor: Tom Roberts’ painting, “Country Road Makers 1923,” presents this really compelling scene of laborers seemingly building or repairing a road. There’s something about the composition, this overwhelming focus on the work being done, that feels monumental. How do you interpret this work, given the time it was made? Curator: This image offers a lens through which to examine labour, nationhood and identity, particularly in the post-federation era in Australia. While seemingly a simple depiction of road workers, it evokes questions about the socio-economic realities and cultural narratives surrounding the working class at that time. What do you notice about the representation of the laborers themselves? Editor: They're working very hard; there seems to be an implied story being told in terms of the social conditions or historical issues, though that is not explicitly shown in the depiction of labor on canvas. It makes you think beyond the image. Curator: Precisely! Consider the historical context of the 1920s, a period marked by significant social and political shifts. This work acts as a powerful reminder to engage in discourse and critical thinking concerning historical accounts, prompting viewers to question accepted understandings and dig for less prominent perspectives. What are your thoughts on that? Editor: It seems to push me to think of history less as static and more as an ongoing, active conversation that is more diverse and ever-changing. Thank you! Curator: I completely agree, and viewing art in this manner enriches the work on canvas to new and varying personal understandings. It is not just about what's visible but about what conversations it ignites.