Albert Namatjira (1902-1959)

Albert was an artist who belonged to the Arrernte people in the Northern Territory. He is best known for his watercolour paintings. He attended Hermannsburg along side Rex Battarbee and John Gardner. He had his first exhibition in 1938, it was sold out in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

His artworks are like European landscapes but with colours from the Australian sun, his style of work set him apart from other Indigenous artists. His successful borught him fame and fortune, he wanted to lease a cattle station but as he was Aboriginal he was not allowed. Later he wanted to build a house in Alice Spring where he owned land but once again was not allowed. From public outrage he then was made a full citizen along with his wife in 1997. He was allowed to buy alcohol and once shared it with a fellow Indigenous man and in 1958 he was charged. He went to prison for two months, after he was uninspired to paint and died a broke man in 1959 only 57years young.

Here are some his works.