ALBERT NAMATJIRA (1902-1959)
Elea Namatjira was an aborigine,
brought up in the outback of the Northern Territ’ry.
Baptised and educated at the old Hermannsburg Mission,
his paintings of the outback earned him widespread recognition.
Of Arrernte tribe, he violated customs of his kin,
by marrying Rubina who was "from another skin”.
He worked as camel driver, by his people ostracised,
and began to paint those desert scenes which, now, are greatly prized.
A Melbourne exhibition held in 1938,
and subsequently Adelaide and Sydney sold out straight.
He met the Queen in Canberra in 1954,
having earned her Coronation medal several years before.
His paintings brought him fame and wealth but when he tried to lease
an outback cattle station or to buy a smaller piece
of land in Alice Springs where he desired to build a home,
the law prevented natives any property to own.
Such was his popularity this caused a public stir
and in 1957, government, without demur,
granted Australian citizenship to Albert and his wife,
which meant that they could purchase land and vote throughout their life.
It also meant that, legally, he could buy alcohol
but not, by law, supply it to an aboriginal.
When his brother, Raberaba, found a bottle in his car
they sentenced Albert for that crime, to six months in the jar.
Although he only served two months before he was released,
depression overtook him and, thereafter, painting ceased.
The Magistrate's stern reprimand had robbed him of his pride
and, barely two years later, Albert Namatjira died.
Around two thousand paintings he’d completed during life
but the benefits were never passed to family or wife.
Heathcote Giffen, April 24th.2007.
Author notes
In 1983, that is twenty-four years after the artist’s demise, the Northern Territory Trustees sold the Copyright in Namatjira’s work (which endures for fifty years from the date of death) to a Sydney dealer for the sum of $8,500. No financial benefit has been received by his dependants or people.
For some examples of Namatjira watercolours try the following:
http://www.artistsfootsteps.com/html/Artists_Namatjira.htm
In a list
A contest entry
- ONLY FOR MEMBERS OF HUGH WYLES' FAVOURITES GROUP by huguenauties.
750 points, ended April 27, 2007, 18 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - "MEMBERS OF HUGH WYLES FAVOURITES GROUP ONLY" No. 12 by huguenauties.
750 points, ended May 30, 2007, 19 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 27 of 27
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CONGRATULATIONS!
Well done, Heathcote!
Maureen
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Congratulations Heathcote.
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Thank you for taking the time to enter. We appreciate your talents. Best of luck to you
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You have penned a historical event in splendid form. It amazes me how similar the experiences of aborigines is to those in South Africa under Apartheid, and those in America under slavery's thumb.
"Although he only served two months before he was released,
depression overtook him and, thereafter, painting ceased.
The Magistrate's stern reprimand had robbed him of his pride
and, barely two years later, Albert Namatjira died."
How sad it is that the spirit can be predisposed such as this. An exquisite writ. I wish you well in this contest.
Much Love ♥
Renee
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Wonderful but heartrending words - I found out just the other day that until the 1960's the Australian aborigines were considered to be part of the flora & fauna not citizens and therefore no rights.
Cheers
Anne
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OHHH my Heath! I forgot to comment on your poem!
I think this one is wonderful as I said when I commented before, Congratulations on your first Wyleian Sonnet.
love Hine.
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good poem and obviously not just happy to steal their children. This is a compassionate story, well done
David -
Worthy not only in content but in form! I found it very thought provoking indeed!
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I've never been at all fond of history in general, yet I've found reading about it in poetry form makes it much more interesting to me. I love how your poem combines history, art, and poetry all. Great poem and good luck in the contest!
Best wishes,
~J.
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Lovely poem, Heathcote that captures an inspirational man and a bit of history of Australia. His case intrigues me, I feel that I must find out more about him. Best of luck!
Elisa, CB & YOKEGG -
what a wonderful write. and a good bit of history too i think it is so wrong that the family has not had any benefit though. it is criminal! great write and good luck with the contest!
loves ya
Til
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Dear Heath,
I like your poem before as I still do now.
i'm pleased you entered into our group contest.
Love Jen.
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There are so many with such brilliance whose works became fodder for other's pockets. We have had the same here with Native American Artists. There is always either an in-struggle or out-struggle over such work. Bravo!
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About Native. In Canada we have had these problems too, but there have been gains made through human rights legislation. Everybody regardless of race or ethnicity who was/is born in Canada is a native. I am native, born here.
The intention is good. Unfortunately... It still has far to go. Here in the north, we have far less problem with bigotry than farther south. My lawyer was proudly Cree, and the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario is a "full-blooded"
aboriginal--not that I prefer that term, but I am not sure of his Nation. Nobody ever expects me to say I am not a "full-blooded" Finn; but one grandmother was Swedish.
Sorry. Gets me going.
As for the work of creative artists, many died poor and starving, with their paintings fetching millions for savvy businessmen later at auction. Van Gogh comes to mind among countless others of all nationalities.
Terry
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VERY WELL RESEARCHED
Yep yep yep.You really did a great job of this. I am very impressed.
Hugs
Jan
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Dear Heathcote
A beautiful piece. I am so happy you have entered this poem as I loved it the first time I read it and am happy to see it entered here. It brings joy to my heart. Best of luck in the competition.
Peace and love,
Petratani
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Dear Heath,
I'm pleased you re-entered this masterpiece in the contest. It is your best poem you have written so far.
Love A/J -
Sad story well told!
What happened to Albert Namatjira was so unfair! Very interesting poem. It's a shame his family never received a dime for his watercolours but even sadder is the fact that he lost his pride, became severely depressed and never painted again after being jailed for a minor offense.
Best of Luck in this contest!
♥ Maureen
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It seems the indigenous people of every country are treated the same by the people who upsurp them either by force or other wise..very good to read. Thank you for writing it.
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Dear Heathcote,
I think your choice of this poem as your best ever is justified. It is not only a fine historical tribute to a great Australian artist but is also a statement of the arrogant treatment by Europeans of the indigenous peoples whose countries they had invaded and whose lands and rights they usurped.
I wish you the best of luck in this contest and am pleased to be first to applaud your choice. Hugh R.
PS: As I had applauded this poem on a previous occasion, the system won't let me applaud again but I do so in spirit anyway.
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His plight sounds familiar to that of African Americans in this country at about that time. But at least they were considered American citizens, not that they got equal justice.
I really like your subject, not one that many would think (or even know) to write about. I learned something about someone new today...and people say I'm too stupid to learn!
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What an ingenious Ballad! I find them hard to pen but you have done an exceptional job with this one. A Very interesting tale. I wish you well in the challenge.
Much Love & Many Blessings ♥
Renee
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Excellent telling of this tale of injustice. In many colonies, the native people were denied human rights, which we can hardly understand now. This is a great tragedy, which I would not have known of but for your poem. Well written, well done, good luck!
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What an interesting piece, and sad. Isn't there anything can be done to restore ownership to his family. All this is so unjust.
I looked at all the pictures in the link you posted to his paintings. He was indeed an artiste' extrardinaire'
His paintings are beautiful, and waterclor is my favorite medium.
Thank you for such a superb poem ... I wish you the best in the contest
Dee
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Dear Heath,
An amazing poem on one of our icons, he certainly was a great painter and an inspiration to other Aboriginals who can strive to reach heights they never thought possible before. Like Evonne Goolagong (Cawley) Champion tennis player and Kathy Freeman, Champion runner and another treasured icon.
Wonderfully written Heath.
Jen.
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Dear Heath,
I love your poem about our famous Aboriginal Painter.
It is a shame that he was treated the way he was.
I had a look at his paintings and they are remarkable. The colours are magnificent and the water scenes astounded me because the water looks so real.
You have done a wonderful job and I can see Hugh is pleased with it also.
Well done dear Nephew.
Love A/J
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My dear Heathcote,
I'm so pleased that our discussion last week about this great Australian artist prompted you to write about him. As I told you, I was considering writing about Albert and Rubina Namatjira myself, considering the injustice so far perpetrated on his family who have been denied any of the huge profits made by sales, reproductions and copyright of his life's work.
I think your biographical ballad is a much better idea and I applaud it buth for the writing and for the conception.
Well done! Good luck in the contest, Hugh
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