Namatjira Project began as a collaboration with members of the Namatjira family and the Hermannsburg community in Central Australia in 2009.
Albert Namatjira is one of the most revered names in Australian art history. His artworks gave many Australians their first glimpses into the heart of the country. The Namatjira family are holders of this celebrated heritage, and yet today face many challenges.
The long term project has centered around an award-winning theatre performance, Namatjira, seen by 50,000 people, telling the story of Albert Namatjira, with his family on stage.
Alongside the theatre production, the project has featured: a sell-out exhibition of watercolours in London, an exhibition of 5 Generations of Namatjira – descendant’s art in Parliament House Canberra, audiences with Queen Elizabeth, Prince Phillip and Prince Charles, public painting masterclasses, public talks, extensive media stories, community development workshops, a watercolour app, a soundtrack CD, intergenerational knowledge sharing, and work in the school at Hermannsburg.
Currently in its legacy phase, Namatjira Project now drives its two key outcomes: the Namatjira Legacy Trust, and the feature length documentary Namatjira Project.
Namatjira Trust
The Namatjira Legacy Trust works to secure positive futures for this iconic community and family. The watercolour movement is their strongest asset – internationally recognised, and an avenue to generate income at the same time as connecting to country, heritage and culture. The Trust resources activities to support this watercolour movement and community – to assist livelihoods and wellbeing to thrive.
Feature Documentary
Namatjira Project is the iconic story of the Namatjira family, tracing their quest to regain the copyright to their grandfather’s artwork. From the remote Australian desert to the opulence of Buckingham Palace – this film illuminates the powerful story of Albert Namatjira’s life, and the future of the Central Desert watercolour movement that he pioneered.