The Namatjira family
struggle for their
rights in two worlds.
Can justice be restored?

Distributed in Australia and
New Zealand by
Undrella Entertainment
Distributed internationally by
 
Journeyman Pictures
THE FILM
THE FILM

Can justice be restored to the Namatjira family?

From the remote Australian desert to the opulence of Buckingham Palace – this is the iconic story of the Namatjira family, tracing their quest to regain the copyright to their grandfather’s artwork.

Albert Namatjira was the first Indigenous person to be made a citizen by the Australian Government.

The founder of the Indigenous art movement in Australia, he was exhibited globally, and introduced to Queen Elizabeth.

However, Namatjira was caught between cultures – paraded as a great Australian, and at the same time treated with contempt.

He was wrongfully imprisoned and in 1959 he died a broken man.
In 1983 the Government sold his copyright to an art dealer.

Today his family fight for survival, justice and to regain their grandfather’s copyright.

This is one of Australia’s most potent stories – illuminating the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians today.

“Our Western Aranda communities today face many of the same difficulties Albert Namatjira did over sixty years ago. We are strong, but our painting tradition – our livelihood – is fragile…

THE CAMPAIGN
THE CAMPAIGN

Namatjira Legacy Trust

Namatjira Project is more than just a documentary. It is part of a campaign to restore justice to the Namatjira family.

The Namatjira Legacy Trust is the centerpiece of this campaign, aiming to secure the future of this iconic community.

The watercolour movement is their most valuable asset. Internationally recognised, it is an avenue to generate income – at the same time as connecting to country, heritage and culture.

In a great victory for social justice, in October 2017, this campaign was successful in righting an historical wrong, reinstating the copyright of Albert Namatjira’s artworks to his family.

The Trust will now embark on its work to support future generations of the Namatjira family to thrive, resourcing cultural and well-being activities, professional development and skill building workshops.

The Trust works in partnership with Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre in Alice Springs, who represent the contemporary Hermannsburg watercolour artists, continuing in the tradition today.

 

… Getting this documentary out for the world to see will help us continue the work passed down to us by Albert. Help us to keep our culture strong, to teach the young ones and to celebrate our remarkable heritage into the future.”
– The Namatjira Family

ACT NOW to support the Namatjiras

Namatjira Project invites you to participate. Join the movement to support the Namatjiras and their Western Aranda communities:
 

Screen the Film

Australia & NZ screenings – contact:

International screenings – contact:

 

DOWNLOAD PRESSKIT

Albert Namatjira left behind our most famous indigenous art estate, so why does his family have no say in how it is run?

The Weekend Australian 25/2/17

His legacy is enormous, he is one of our great painters…

Fran Kelly, ABC Radio National

 
SIGN UP TO BECOME A FRIEND OF THE NAMATJIRA PROJECT

Sign up here to become a friend of the Namatjira Project, and visit www.namatjira.bighart.org to find out more.