Ntaria and beyond, the Hermannsburg School of Art

Ntaria is the home of the Western Arrernte people in the Northern Territory and includes Hermannsburg, a small town on the banks of the Finke River and at the foot of Mount Hermannsburg, 130 kilometres west of Mparntwe (Alice Springs).

The landscape features rugged mountains, deep gorges and dry plains, subject to harsh droughts and high temperatures.

It features red desert, stunted trees and spinifex, and is flanked by the MacDonnell, Krichauff and Gosse ranges.

A Lutheran Mission was established at Hermannsburg in 1877 at a time when large areas of land were being leased for cattle stations, displacing the Arrernte people who then became dependent on the Mission for basic survival necessities. The Hermannsburg School of Art developed in the 1930s as a distinctive style characterised by watercolours painted in traditional European techniques, depicting the striking landscape and homeland of the Arrente people.

Its most famous painter, and founder, was Albert Namatjira (1902-1959) who was mentored by visiting Melbourne artist Rex Battarbee during two, month-long painting trips which they embarked on through the surrounding countryside during 1936. Albert's first solo exhibition of 41 paintings in Melbourne in 1938 sold out and his career, and the new style, flourished.

The new technique of realistic watercolour painting that Albert adopted was different from the iconographic or abstract approaches used by other Arrernte artists of the time. His success had a profound influence on his Community and descendants, many of whom continue to paint in watercolour.

Namatjira watercolour artists are now based at Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) in Mparntwe, a not-for-profit Art Centre, that is proudly Aboriginal owned and directed. The Centre is strongly committed to improving economic participation of Aboriginal people and maintaining cultural heritage.

This exhibition introduces six new Ntaria watercolours that have come into the Benalla Art Gallery Collection; a generous gift by Peter and Wendy Fishley. Although Melbourne-based now, Peter and Wendy were previously farmers at Terip Terip in the nearby Strathbogie Ranges. Complementing these acquisitions are existing Ntaria works from the Collection and loans from Shepparton Art Museum.

Artists:

Clem ABBOTT
Edwin PAREROULTJA
Otto PAREROULTJA
Richard MOKETARINJA
Albert NAMATJIRA
Enos NAMATJIRA
Ewald NAMATJIRA
Gabriel NAMATJIRA
Keith NAMATJIRA
Maurice NAMATJIRA
Oscar NAMATJIRA
Reggie NAMATJIRA
Brenton RABERABA
Henoch RABERABA
Herbert RABERABA
Therese RYDER

Friday 13th June 2025 - Sunday 13th July 2025 @ Benalla Art Gallery - Simpson Gallery






 Benalla Art Gallery View Venue
 Bridge Street,  Benalla Victoria 3672 Map

Advertiser: benallaartgallery.com.au

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