Archive for the ‘Albert Namatjira’ Category

Posted on March 10, 2010 - by clare

Want to learn more about Albert Namatjira?

Albert Namatjira is Australia’s most famous Indigenous watercolour artist but his story is hardly known. For example, did you know that Albert…

• was among the first Indigenous people to become an Australian citizen at a time when Indigenous people were still categorised as ‘flora and fauna’?
• was arrested for supplying alcohol to ‘Indigenous people’, who were in fact his relatives?
• met Queen Elizabeth, after being awarded the Queen’s Coronation Medal, in Canberra in 1954?
• was the first Indigneous person to be listed in Who’s Who in Australia?

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Albert’s life story provides a valuable insight, not only into Australia’s history, but into our modern-day relations with Indigenous people.

Learn more about his life, legacy, inspiration and international impact by reading the articles and books, and exploring the links to websites listed below.

Posted on January 13, 2010 - by sophia

Albert Namatjira – history, background and biography

 

The story of the life of Albert Namatjira resonates today as strongly as it did 50 years ago, providing a lens through which we can see the relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians both in the past and currently.

For some history, background and a biography of Albert Namatjira visit these sites:

http://archweb01.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/fs145.aspx

http://www.artistsfootsteps.com/html/Artists_Namatjira.htm

http://www.aboriginalartonline.com/art/namatjira.php

http://www.abc.net.au/schoolstv/australians/namat.htm

Other online sources & articles

Namatjira, 50^th anniversary  – http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25815413-5013571,00.html

About Gloria Paanka, grandaughter to Albert – http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25475419-16947,00.html

We have also bee exploring some great literature:

“The Heritage of Namatjira: The Watercolourists of Central Australia”. Edited by Jane Hardy, JVS Megaw & M Ruth Megaw. 1992, William Heiremann Australia.

‘Seeing the Centre’, Alison French

“Central Australian Artist Albert Namatjira” Text with 26 colour plates. Text by John Brackenreg. Published by the Legend Press NSW.

‘The town grew up dancing’, Wenten Rubuntja

“From Mission to Church: Finke River Mission. 1877-2002” Paul GE Albrecht.

“A Straight Out Man: FW Albrecht & Central Australian Aborigines”. Barbara Henson.

“Arrernte Present Arrernte Past: Invasion, Violence, and Immigration in Indigenous Central Australia”, Dianne Austin Broos.

And DVDs:

‘Namatjira: First Citizen’

‘Namatjira: the Painter’

Posted on January 13, 2010 - by clare

Albert Namatjira – an Oodgeroo poem

Namatjira by Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker)

Aboriginal man, you walked with pride,

And painted with joy the countryside.

Original man, your fame grew fast,

Men pointed you out as you went past.

But vain the honour and tributes paid

For you strangled in rules the white man made:

You broke no law of the your own wild clan

Which says, “Share all with your fellow-man.”

What did their loud acclaim avail

Who gave you honour, then gave you jail?

Namatjira, they boomed your art,

They called you genius, then broke your heart.

Posted on January 12, 2010 - by sophia

Albert Namatjira – in songs

We have developed a playlist of songs that either reference, or are about, Albert Namatjira.

1. Native Born, by  Archie Roach, Charcoal Lane
2. Truganini by Midnight Oil , 20000 Watt RSL – The Midnight Oil Collection (Remastered)
3. Albert Namatjira by Not Drowning Waving, Circus
4. The Camel Boy by John Williamson, Chandelier of Stars
5. Raining On the Rock by John Williamson,  Mallee Boy
6. I Am Australian by Bruce Woodley, Carter & Carter & Claire Woodley