Vincent Namatjira illustrates Australia in colour and new Enlighten commission at the National Gallery

First nations art takes centre stage at the National Gallery of Australia with the opening of the major exhibition Vincent Namatjira: Australia in colour and new artist commission for Enlighten 2024.

Opening Saturday 2 March, the first major survey exhibition of Western Aranda artist Vincent Namatjira goes on display in the National Gallery’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander galleries, transforming them with bold colour and powerful portraiture.

Namatjira is renowned for his portraiture depicting famous faces whilst providing an incisive and satirical commentary on politics within Australia and internationally. His paintings offer a wry look at the politics of history, power and leadership from a contemporary Aboriginal perspective.

Showcasing Namatjira’s burgeoning artistic practice, the Australia in colour exhibition is presented in partnership with the Art Gallery of South Australia and brings together paintings, works on paper and moving image from public and private collections nationwide. The exhibition also features a selection of watercolours from the national collection by the artist's great-grandfather and critically acclaimed artist, Albert Namatjira.

Vincent Namatjira was also commissioned by the National Gallery to create a new work for its 2024 Enlighten illumination. The projection and sound-based work – titled Indigenous All Stars – will animate the western façade of the Gallery nightly from 1-11 March. The composite video/animation work features Namatjira’s Indigenous heroes, including great historical and political leaders Eddie Koiki Mabo, Vincent Lingiari and Albert Namatjira, as well as sporting stars Adam Goodes, Cathy Freeman and Nicky Winmar, and the Tjilpi (senior men/elders) from Namatjira’s home on the APY Lands of South Australia.

'Part of making things equal in this country is a greater acknowledgement and recognition of Aboriginal excellence past and present – our heroes, leaders, visionaries and trailblazers,' said Namatjira.

The projection is accompanied by an original score created by Vincent Namatjira in collaboration with Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara guitarist-composer Jeremy Whiskey, also from Indulkana.

During the Enlighten Festival, the Gallery will remain open until 9pm with a special Up Late program. Visitors can visit the current exhibitions, take part in art activities and wander the collection galleries.

In addition to the extended hours, on Friday and Saturday nights there’s live music and family activities on the Parkes Place East concourse outside the Gallery. The live music lineup includes performances by Thelma Plum, Jem Cassar-Daley, Dan Sultan and Briggs.

Curator Bruce Johnson-McLean (Wierdi/Birri-Gubba peoples), Assistant Director, First Nations Engagement and Head Curator, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art said the exhibition coinciding with Enlighten presented an exciting opportunity for the Gallery to celebrate Vincent and First Nations art through a dynamic program of art and events for everyone.

‘Vincent’s portraits, particularly when displayed together, demonstrate the strength and power of Indigenous leadership and are an unapologetic celebration of Aboriginal excellence. The National Gallery looks forward to sharing this moment with the Kamberri/Canberra community.’

Vincent Namatjira: Australia in colour will be on display from 2 Mar – 21 Jul 2024. Exhibition entry is free.

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.

Vincent Namatjira: Indigenous All Stars will be on display from 1 – 11 Mar 2024.

Vincent Namatjira: Indigenous All Stars for the Enlighten 2024 Festival is presented by the National Gallery of Australia in association with Canberra Theatre Centre.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

There will be programs for everyone to celebrate the opening of Australia in colour, see more here.

ENLIGHTEN UP LATE

1 - 11 MAR 2024

Join us from 5–9pm for art, live music, kids and family activities. Then head out and experience the incredible Enlighten illuminations including Vincent Namatjira: Indigenous All Stars projection on the Gallery façade from 8pm.

See full program here.

ABOUT: VINCENT NAMATJIRA

A painter from Indulkana in South Australia, Vincent Namatjira has established himself as a subversive and witty portraitist. Since 2013, he has been painting portraits of important figures, both personally familiar and famously political. Bold, painterly and conceptually rich, Namatjira’s work has gained significant recognition in Australia and abroad. He was the winner of the 2019 Ramsay Art Prize, the first Indigenous artist to win the Archibald Prize in 2020 and in the same year was recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in honour of his contribution to Indigenous visual arts.

Artist biography courtesy of Iwantja Arts.

IMAGES

available here

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Jessica Barnes
Acting Communications Manager
M +61 437 986 286
E media@nga.gov.au

VINCENT: AUSTRALIA IN COLOUR PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

AGSA SUPPORTING PARTNERS

VINCENT: INDIGENOUS ALL STARS SUPPORTERS