ALBERT NAMATJIRA

WHO IS HE? He was born in Alice Springs in 1902 and died

there in 1957. He loved the Australian outback, especially gum

trees. He was Australia’s first famous Aboriginal person.

HIS PAINTINGS

Albert Namatjira loved painting the Australian outback- the desert and landscapes. He was one of the first Aboriginal artist to paint what he saw rather than the traditional Aboriginal way of dots and patterns. His paintings were

very popular.

INTERESTING FACTS He sold a lot of paintings but he lived and died

in poverty. The Queen owns some of his paintings. He was the first Aboriginal to be granted

Australian Citizenship in 1957 and allowed to vote and own a house.

HIS WORK His works are distinctly Australian. In 1938 first exhibition was held in Melbourne

and he sold every single painting. He painted with watercolor paints.

SINCE HIS DEATH He died in 1959 but left 2,000 paintings 3 biographical films and a play were made

about him.