Albert Namatjira
By: Jonathan, Lachlan, Michael, Jazza, Bethany, Donna, Laura and Natalie.
| Albert Namatjira is
famous for his western style water colour paintings. He was born at a
Christian Mission in Hermannsburgin the Northern Territory on July the
28th, 1902.
He was originally named Elea, but after becoming Christian they renamed him Albert. He was the first Australian aborigine to be recognized nationally and internationally as an artist. He was also the first Aboriginal to be granted full citizenship in 1957. He was a full-blooded member of the western Aranta tribe, respecting, and obedient to, his tribal laws and customs, who spent most of his life with his wife, children and fellow tribes people in and around Hermannsburg Lutheran mission. He was a big man, proud, ambitious, resourceful and intelligent. This intelligence was evident in his ability to absorb the basic skills in European watercolour painting and to pass on his knowledge. His works show the country of his birth, the country of his people, the Dreamtime land of the legends and creation stories. Albert was a fast learner. He thought that he had a natural gift, and he did. His fame led to him gaining Australian citizenship. He was granted full citizenship rights in 1957 and he was even able to vote for the Prime Minister. |
This is Michael's drawing of Albert Namatjira. |
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Illustration by Bethany At 17 he married Ilkalita (Rubina) of the Luritja community. He met Australian artist Rex Battered who visited Hermannsburg in 1934. Battered tutored him in the western tradition of painting and helped him to organize his first exhibition in Melbourne in 1936. This exhibition was a success and Namatjira was encouraged to exhibit his work in Adelaide and Sydney. |
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| Albert
Namatjira (1902–1959) was one of Australia's most notable artists.
His watercolour landscapes of Central Australia, are
shown in all
Australian State art galleries. At 13 years of age He was initiated into the Aranta community and taught the traditional laws and customs. |
Success brought him money which he used to lease a cattle station. Granted in 1949, the lease was cancelled in 1950 when it was realized that cattle grazing in the area would not be viable. He then attempted to build a house in Alice Springs, but was hampered under the terms of the Aboriginals Ordinance (NT) 1918–1947. Unlike many other Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory, Namatjira was entitled to vote and to live where he wished. |
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How Albert died !! On the 8th of August in 1959, he died. He was taken to Alice Springs. He was buried in the Alice Springs cemetery. He was 57 years old and had been painting for 44 years and every one was sad to hear of his death.
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