In 1982-83, a team comprising John Olsen, Dame Mary Durack, Vincent
Serventy, Geoffrey Dutton and
others, made a modern explortion of the North West of WA. John Olsen's
paintings, gouaches and drawings seen in this book are a record of this
expedition.

"In this book, each of the contributors has attempted to interpret the North-West in his or her own way, in an effort to translate a little more of the silent language of our country. For my part I feel greatly privileged to have participated in this venture, although I believe that the North-West, perhaps more than any other part of Australia, must make us conscious that we are no more than sojourners in this ancient land"

Excerpt from the preface, written by John Olson.