Albert Namatjira was born in Hermannsburg, the Lutheran Mission in the Northern Territory, in July of 1902. He belonged to the group of Aborigines known collectively as the Aranda people. At the age of 32, he received his first art lesson from Rex Batterbee, and soon his skills in this area began to develop more and more.

By 1938 his work was included in an exhibition at a Gallery in Melbourne, with all of it being sold within the space of the first two days. This was the first of what was to become a regular occurrence, with his work becoming very popular.

His success was not all sweetness though. Although Aborigines were not officially made citizens until 1967 and were not entitled to the same benefits as other citizens, the federal government still insisted on taking a percentage of Namatjira's earnings for tax purposes. His attempt to purchase land near to where he had been born, was also unsuccessful.

When he decided to try to buy a house in Alice Springs, once again he was prevented on the grounds that Aborigines were not permitted in the town after dark. This obviously made him disillusioned and very frustrated, with the result that he took refuge in drink. To make matters worse, he was charged with supplying alcohol to an Aboriginal camp, and sentenced to three months in prison.

Following his release, having reached the depths of dispair, he died three months later in 1959. Despite the sadness that surrounds his personal life, Albert Namatjira has earned a prominant position in Australia's world of art.

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