Mount Sonder with Corkwood Tree

Albert Namatjira (1902–1959) is almost certainly Australia’s most famous Aboriginal artist and became renowned for his ability to embody his country using watercolours in a way not seen before. Namatjira had the unique capacity to capture the light, vivid colour, beauty and even the essence of Central Australia and capture the imagination of many.

Namatjira commenced painting with watercolours in 1936 and by 1938 had his first solo exhibition in Melbourne with another in Adelaide during 1939. Both exhibitions were incredibly successful and sold out to a captivated audience. In a few short years, Namatjira had gone from obscurity to fame and was on the way to becoming one of the most successful and recognised Aboriginal artists in this country who today continues to be celebrated.

The legacy of Namatjira includes an impressive catalogue of paintings; initiating a market for Aboriginal art from Central Australia and influencing the continuing Hermannsburg School of watercolour painting.