Vincent Namatjira’s ‘King Dingo’ featured in The Art Newspaper

11 Jul 2024

Journlist Elizabeth Fortescue features Vincent Namatjira’s Latest Exhibition, King Dingo, at Ames Yavuz on an article in The Art Newspaper.

Following the media storm surrounding his portrait of Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart—prompting a call from Rinehart for its removal from the National Gallery of Australia—Vincent Namatjira now turns his satirical gaze towards British royalty with his new exhibition.

Asked by The Art Newspaper if the work was intended as a reference to King Charles III, Namatjira replied: “My recent paintings are about Aboriginal ownership, strength and pride, using the dingo—a protector totem—as a symbol of Indigenous power. The King Dingo figures are based on the poses, outfits and accessories of the British Royal family, but they aren’t specifically portraits of King Charles III; they are just symbols of royalty. With these paintings, I’m exploring ideas of royalty and status from a remote Indigenous perspective and asking, ‘what does power and leadership really look like?’”

The backgrounds of these new works may seem familiar, echoing the landscape paintings that established Namatjira’s great-grandfather, Albert Namatjira, as an internationally renowned artist. Albert Namatjira (1902-59) navigated the constraints imposed on Aboriginal people in the early 20th century while also receiving a Coronation Medal from Queen Elizabeth II.

“King Dingo presents subversive portraits that are an unapologetic celebration of Aboriginal leadership, influenced by Namatjira’s ongoing research and engagement with his great-grandfather Albert Namatjira’s work as well as his own recent plein air painting expeditions on country.”

King Dingo will be on view at Ames Yavuz gallery in Sydney from 31 August until 5 October 2024.

Artwork: Vincent Namatjira, King Dingo (with skull), 2024, acrylic on Linen, 167 x 198 cm