The National Museum of Australia has rejected a request to remove a controversial oil portrait of mining billionaire Gina Rinehart. In an official statement, the museum announced that the exhibition will be on display in its entirety until July 21, 2024.
The museum’s statement read as follows:
“The National Gallery welcomes the public to engage in dialog about our collection and exhibitions. Since 1973, when the National Gallery acquired Jackson Pollocks’ Blue Poles, there has been a dynamic debate about the artistic merits of works in the national collection and/or exhibited in the Gallery. We bring art to the Australian public to inspire people to discover, experience and learn about art. Vincent Namatjira: Australia in Color will be on display in its entirety until its closing date of 21 July 2024.”
Commenting on the controversy, artist Vincent Namatjira said:
“I paint the world as I see it. People don’t have to like my paintings, but I hope they take the time to think: ‘Why did this Aboriginal man paint these powerful people? What is he trying to say?’ I paint people who are rich or powerful or important, people who have a direct or indirect impact on this country and on me personally, for better or for worse. Some people might not like it, some people might find it funny, but I hope people will look beneath the surface and see the serious side.”
Contents of the Exhibition
This portrait is part of Vincent Namatjira’s 21-portrait exhibition, which also includes oil portraits of Rinehart, renowned musician Jimi Hendrix and Queen Elizabeth. The exhibition reflects Namatjira’s artistic expression of his own perspective on Australia’s most important figures.
