‘Namatjira to Now’
Oct 2008 -
Feb 2009

The great Albert Namatjira's adoption of the European medium of watercolour for his landscape paintings remains an inspiration to contemporary artists from Ntaria (Hermannsburg) and surrounding regions of Central Australia. Since the 1930s, artists there have been producing vibrant and highly regarded art that has made their country celebrated throughout Australia.
‘Namatjira to Now’ highlighted work by Indigenous Australian artists from the Hermannsburg School, including watercolours from the original and subsequent generations, ceramics and acrylic paintings on canvas.
In this resource, find out more about works from the QAGOMA Collection featured in this exhibition.
‘Namatjira to Now’ was on display at QAG from 23 October 2008 to 15 February 2009. A touring version (2009–11) visited galleries in Stanthorpe, Winton, Ipswich, Redcliffe, Noosa, Dalby, Bundaberg, Gympie, Mackay and the Gold Coast.
Feature image: Irene Mbitjana Entata / Arrernte/Luritja people / Australia NT 1946–2014 / Albert and Rex painting (detail) 2003 / Purchased 2003. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © Irene Mbitjana Entata
Collection artworks featured in ‘Namatjira to Now’

(Ghost gums) c.1955-68
- EBATARINJA, Walter - Creator

Range country c.1955-68
- EBATARINJA, Walter - Creator

The three gums c.1955-68
- EBATARINJA, Walter - Creator

Red plateau c.1955-62
- LANDARA, Benjamin - Creator

Palm Valley c.1955-62
- LANDARA, Benjamin - Creator

MacDonnell Ranges 2009
- NAMATJIRA, Kevin - Creator

Western MacDonnells c.1945
- NAMATJIRA, Albert - Creator

Twa-tarra c.1938-39
- NAMATJIRA, Albert - Creator

Mt Hermannsburg c.1946-51
- NAMATJIRA, Albert - Creator

Central Mount Wedge 1945
- NAMATJIRA, Albert - Creator

Rocky hills
- NAMATJIRA, Ewald - Creator

Ghost gums c.1948-62
- NAMATJIRA, Keith - Creator

(Ghost gums) 1950s
- NAMATJIRA, Maurice - Creator

(Ghost gums and mountain)
- PANNKA, Nelson - Creator

(Mount Sonder) c.1955
- PAREROULTJA, Edwin - Creator

(Landscape) c.1950s
- PAREROULTJA, Otto - Creator

(Landscape) c.1950s
- PAREROULTJA, Otto - Creator

Ormiston Gorge 2007
- TAYLOR, Peter Tjutjatja - Creator

The Pipes - Glen Helen 2007
- RUBUNTJA, Mervyn - Creator

Standley Chasm 2008
- ABBOTT, Douglas Kwarlpe - Creator

West MacDonnell Ranges 2008
- PANNKA, Gloria - Creator

Glen Helen Gorge 2008
- WIRRI, Elton - Creator

Waterbirds 2002
- UNGWANAKA, Rahel - Creator

Mount Hermannsburg 2002
- RONTJI, Lindy - Creator

Mount Sonder and possums 2003
- RONTJI, Lindy - Creator

(Emu and chicks) 2002
- INKAMALA, Clara - Creator

Mission days 2002
- ENTATA, Irene Mbitjana - Creator

Pmere (My country) 1996
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- ENTATA, Irene Mbitjana - Potter

Pot: Reelpa (Drovers) 2002
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- ENTATA, Irene Mbitjana - Potter

Pot: Cows 2000
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- ENTATA, Irene Mbitjana - Potter

Pot: (Ant on climbing plant) 2002
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- ENTATA, Irene Mbitjana - Potter

Pot: Footy (Lions vs Bombers) 2004
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- ENTATA, Irene Mbitjana - Potter

Pot: Mission days 2005
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- ENTATA, Irene Mbitjana - Potter

Pot: Pmere Nuka (My country) 1994
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- HUDSON, Noreen Ngala - Potter

Pot: Pmere Nuka (My country) 1994
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- HUDSON, Noreen Ngala - Potter

Pot: Eeritja (Eagles) 1997
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- HUDSON, Noreen Ngala - Potter

Pot: Lorikeets 1996
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- HUDSON, Noreen Ngala - Potter

Pot: Ilia (Emu) 2002
- INKAMALA, Clara - Potter
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop

Pot: Eeritja (Eagle) 2001
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- INKAMALA, Judith Pungkarta - Potter

Pot: Enalaunga (Echidna) family 2004
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- INKAMALA, Judith Pungkarta - Potter

Pot: Kangaroo 1996
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- INKAMALA, Judith Pungkarta - Potter

Pot: (Bush orange) 2002
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- KENNEDY, Esther - Potter

Owl 1996
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- NAMATJIRA, Elaine - Potter

Pot: Eerarnta (Black cockatoo) 2000
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RONTJI, Carol - Potter

Pot: Tompa (Perentie) 2002
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- UNGWANAKA, Rahel - Potter

Pot: (Butterfly) 2002
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RONTJI, Lindy - Potter

Pot: Kuparda (Bush plum) 2002
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Tompa (Perentie) 1997
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RONTJI, Carol - Potter

Pot: Kookaburras 2004
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- UNGWANAKA, Rahel - Potter

Ankarta (Frill-necked lizard) 2005
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- UNGWANAKA, Rahel - Potter

Sand dunes at Papunya 2007
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RONTJI, Lindy - Potter

Ntaria Garage 2007
- INKAMALA, Clara - Potter
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop

Koprillia Day at Hermannsburg 2007
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Owl 2005
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- UNGWANAKA, Rahel - Potter

Palm Valley c.1945
- NAMATJIRA, Albert - Creator