Vincent Namatjira OAM’s ‘Australia in Colour’ now at the National Gallery of Australia

2 Mar 2024

Acclaimed Western Aranda artist, Vincent Namatjira OAM has launched his sweeping survey show ‘Vincent Namatjira: Australia in colour’ at the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.

‘Australia in colour’ charts Namatjira’s career, revealing the power of his painting and the potency of his words. Celebrated for his dry wit, Namatjira has established himself in the past decade as a celebrated portraitist and a satirical chronicler of Australian identity. His paintings offer a wry look at the politics of history, power and leadership from a contemporary Aboriginal perspective.

Alongside the exhibition, the National Gallery of Australia has commissioned ‘Vincent Namatjira: Indigenous All Stars’ for the 2024 Enlighten Festival, bringing the artist’s works to life through animated projection.The commission extends across the entire 60-metre western facade, illuminating Namatjira’s artworks and Indigenous heroes such as Eddie Koiki Mabo, Adam Goodes, and Tjilpi Elders, accompanied by an original score created by Namatjira and guitarist-composer Jeremy Whiskey.

Experience Namatjira’s powerful artistic practice at the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, until 21 July 2024.

‘Vincent Namatjira: Australia in colour’ is a Tarnanthi touring exhibition presented by the Art Gallery of South Australia in partnership with the National Gallery of Australia, supported by Tarnanthi Principal Partner BHP and the Government of South Australia.

Image: Vincent Namatjira (Western Aranda people) with ‘Vincent Namatjira: Australia in colour’, installation views, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, 2024. Courtesy of the artist, Iwantja Arts and The National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra