Albert Namatjira is perhaps one of the most well-known famous Aboriginal artist’s. Albert was born on 28 July 1902 at Hermannsburg (Ntaria), Northern Territory.
Namatjira was a famous water colour artist who mainly painted landscapes of different places in Australia.
Namatjira was a famous water colour artist who mainly painted landscapes of different places in Australia.
Although his artworks were mainly water colour landscapes he also produced carved and painted artefacts, and briefly painted on bean-wood panels. Although Namatjira’s artistic creations were influenced by European styles whenever he painted he did so with his ‘country in mind’ and would always return to sites instilled with ancestral associations and cultural significance. Ultimately Namatjira’s artwork was a blend of Aboriginal and European modes of depiction.
Many of Namatjira’s paintings were a representation of daily life and the beautiful Australian countryside including nature and animals. More importantly the central theme of Namatjira’s paintings was the land its unique beauty and significance to his cultural heritage as an Aboriginal Australian.
Also a representation of his culture were the stories that were expressed through his artwork. Namatjira painted his ‘country’ as a place where he belonged and that he felt a deep connection to and its meaning to him.
Many of Namatjira’s paintings were a representation of daily life and the beautiful Australian countryside including nature and animals. More importantly the central theme of Namatjira’s paintings was the land its unique beauty and significance to his cultural heritage as an Aboriginal Australian.
Also a representation of his culture were the stories that were expressed through his artwork. Namatjira painted his ‘country’ as a place where he belonged and that he felt a deep connection to and its meaning to him.
It tells us that he is a proud of his culture and country. Its shows us that Albert is greatly influenced by his Aboriginality and the deep connection that Aboriginal people have to the land and nature. I think that Albert gets a sense of peacefulness from his surroundings and he tries to capture this feeling and the natural beauty of the Australia landscape in his artwork. It is as though Albert’s artwork becomes him and is how he expresses his culture in modern Australia. Even though Albert’s artwork is not necessarily traditional it is deeply influenced by traditional Aboriginal way of life and association with the land.
Albert’s artwork is a modern day expression of his Aboriginal identity his connection to ‘country ‘and his deep respect for the land and the environment. I imagine that when he painted Albert felt at peace and happy.
Albert Namatjira’s work is a personal representation of his identity, culture and traditional Aboriginal values. Albert sees the land for its natural beauty and it is a central theme of all his artwork just as it is central to Aboriginal culture ‘mother earth’ and way of life.
Albert Namatjira’s work is a personal representation of his identity, culture and traditional Aboriginal values. Albert sees the land for its natural beauty and it is a central theme of all his artwork just as it is central to Aboriginal culture ‘mother earth’ and way of life.