PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Albert Namatjira
Albert Namatjira, originally known as Elea Namatjira before being baptised, was a full-blooded Aboriginal and member of the Western Aranda tribe. Albert Namatjira was one of Australia's greatest artists. He was born at the Hermannsburg Lutheran Mission on July 28, 1902.
His paintings were not the typical Traditional symbolic style of Aboriginal art but rather highly detailed depictions of the landscape around him. They often showed geological features, old white gum trees and fauna. His style reflects the aesthetic of western art.
This is a picture of Albert Namatjira
Albert Marries Ilkalita
On July 1st, 1920 when Albert Namatjira was around 18 years of age he got married to a woman named Ilkalita belonging to the Loritja tribe. He married her for two reasons, one, to avoid tribal strictures and two, to avoid Mission strictures.
Later on Ilkalita was baptised and given the name Rubina. Their marriage was then formally blessed and at the same time their three children, two boys and one girl, at that time were also baptised and given the names Enos, Oscar and Maisie. Albert and Rubina in the end had had ten children, 5 boys and 5 girls. Enos, Oscar and Maisie were the first three of their children.
This is a picture of Albert's wife Rubina
Albert's First Art Related Job
On July 1st 1932 Albert had gotten his first art related job. Constable W. Mackinnon had requested him to make a dozen pokerwork mulga wood plaques for which he was very talented at making. For each wood plaque Albert received five shillings.
After that job producing poker work mulga wood plaques became a daily thing for Albert and he began inscribing them with Biblical texts. He also decorated coat hangers, boomerang and woomera (which is an Aboriginal stick used to add more force when throwing spears).
This is a picture of a poker work mulga wood plaque he made
Albert's First Solo Exhibition
On the 5th of December 1938 Albert Namatjira had his first solo exhibition, opened by Lady Huntingfield. This exhibition was titled 'ALBERT NAMATJIRA. Central Australian Water Colours. 1938'. It was held at the Fine Art Society Gallery in Melbourne from December 5th to December 17. The introduction to the catalogue was provided by R.H Croll and a total of 41 watercolour art pieces were exhibited. The price for the pieces were ranged from one to six guineas and it was amazing as all watercolour pieces were sold within three days.
These art pieces were Albert's first signed as ALBERT NAMATJIRA and his work prior to them were never again signed as ALBERT NAMATJIRA.
This is one of Albert's water colour paintings, Palm Valley
Albert and Rubina Awarded Australian Citizenship
On the 1st of July, 1957 Albert and his wife Rubina were awarded full Australian Citizenship. This meant that he could then vote, drink in hotels, take bottled beer home, build a house anywhere he like and demand a basic wage from his employer.
This was probably a great and inspiring event for both Albert and Rubina but there were two basic negatives/problems.
Firstly, if Albert were to build a home in Alice Springs his children would not be able to legally stay with him overnight as they were still considered wards of the state. (Wards were Aboriginals that couldn't vote, drink etc. Most Aboriginals were appointed wards, except for six people).
Secondly, Albert and his wife were granted citizenship two years before he died so Albert did not get much time to enjoy it. Especially since he was arrested.
Albert Supplies Liquor To Aboriginal
On the 1st of August, 1958 a young woman named Fay Iowa at the Morris Soak camp had been killed by her husband. The reason for this was because Albert Namatjira had supplied liquor to the husband of the woman, resulting in him killing his wife.
The man that Albert supplied the liquor to was a ward of the state and therefor not allowed under any circumstances to consume alcohol. So when Albert Namatjira was held responsible by the Stipendiary Magistrate for bringing alcohol into the camp he was sentenced to six months in prison. His sentence was later reduce to three months in prison and soon two months for people being concerned about his health and good behaviour.
Albert's Index Finger Amputated
On the 5th of November 1958 Albert had been admitted to the Alice Springs Hospital for a severe injury to his left hand. His index finger had to be amputated as the bonnet of his new truck had fallen and landed on his finger. It had lacerated his finger so badly that it had to be amputated.
Albert is Released/Death
On the 19th of May Albert was released from the Papunya Native Reserve. Albert had lost his will to live and all interest in painting. He seemed to have been in a state of severe depression. Someone had offered him a small cottage in Papunya and he accepted it, but his condition rapidly deteriorated.
Sadly, on the 8th of August Albert was admitted to the Alice Springs Hospital once again. He suffered a heart attack and, within hours he had died with the onset of pneumonia.
Conclusion
Albert Namatjira was a very inspiring and great Aboriginal artist. He made mistakes, just like everyone else, but he succeeded and lived a great life. He was very lucky, far more than other Aboriginals were, as he had greater opportunities. Including becoming a citizen and being able to succeed as far as he did in being an artist. Albert Namatjira and his art is very interesting to learn about and should/will be remembered by all Australians, even non-Australians for all time.
Here is some of his many paintings/artwork
