Nippleback by Teddy Hansen

This is the story of two boys who have pranked their village by spray-painting circles and placing apples onto camels’ humps, making them look like pairs of breasts. Fearing trouble, the boys flee the village and create a Trojan camel to sneak back in unnoticed.

The image shows two boys hiding inside a Trojan camel playing backgammon. In 19th-century England, the word ‘gammon’ was linked to trickery or deception, while in Australia, the term ‘gammon’ refers to ‘lying’. The aim of backgammon is to get back to your home, similar to what the two boys are trying to do.

The two boys are holding the faux camel’s tail to swat away flies that are attempting to eat the apples resting on its humps. The camel appears to be wearing a balaclava or some type of disguise, because it is man-made or resembles something someone might wear while attempting to break in.

Around the camel in the background, you see the rest of the beast-like herd walking in the desert.