Award winning artwork at Artspace

The Archibald prize-winning portrait of Albert Namatjira will be on display at Artspace Mackay as part of Namatjira to Now from Saturday, September 18.

Namatjira to Now is a major Queensland Art Gallery touring exhibition offering audiences an in-depth look at the Hermannsburg School style of art.

This beautiful style of landscape painting was developed by renowned Indigenous artist, Albert Namatjira and is considered to be one of Australia’s longest continuing contemporary art movements. 

Community Services and Facilities portfolio councillor Karen May said the exhibition features more than 100 artworks including iconic Hermannsburg watercolours, as well as ceramics and acrylic paintings.

“Its half a century since the death of Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira and this travelling exhibition provides a unique opportunity to view works by the famous founder of the Hermannsburg School,” Cr May said.

“On display as well are works from his teacher Rex Battarbee, and recent artists currently working in the community today, such as Judith Inkamala and Irene Entata,” she said.

“Artspace Mackay is very excited to hold Namatjira to Now and expects this to be one of the most visited exhibitions for 2010 due to the background of the Aboriginal artist and his iconic story,”

To accompany the exhibition, Artspace Mackay will be screening the film First Citizen: The story of Albert Namatjira from 12pm daily commencing Tuesday, September 28 to Sunday, October 31 in the Cox Rayner Gallery.

“First Citizen is a fascinating documentary about the life and work of Albert Namatjira, it includes live footage and a collection of re-creations of periods of his life, newsreel excerpts and archival footage.”

The film details a number of his paintings and offers a sensitive, detailed record and analysis of Albert Namatjira and features William Dargie’s portrait of Albert Namatjira which is included in the Namatjira to Now exhibition, and won the Archibald Prize in 1942.

Cr May said the documentary runs for under an hour, so why not do something different and spend your lunch break at Artspace Mackay.

Exhibition dates: 17 September – 31 October
Exhibition opening: 6pm on Friday, September 17 - all welcome, RSVP to 4961 9722
Meet the collection: 10.30am on Saturday, September 18
Exhibition floor talk: 11am on Saturday, September 18

Also on show in Artspace Mackay Foyer: Maelstrom: Recent works by Kelvyn Cunnington. An exhibition of drawings, collage and assemblage by Cunnington, a local artist renowned for his complex illustrative work and intriguing approach to collage.

Contact: Melissa Dunn

Phone: 1300 MACKAY (1300 622 529)