Known for his distinctive, humourous paintings often depicting himself alongside world leaders including Donald Trump, Kim Jong-un and The Queen, Vincent Namatjira‘s work is bold and subversive. By bringing these recognisable, often divisive characters together on the canvas, Vincent highlights the politics of power and leadership, from his own unique perspective.

Originally from Ntaria (Hermannsburg), Northern Territory (125km South West of Alice Springs), Vincent identifies as Western Aranda. Today, he is based at Iwantja Arts in the remote community of Indulkana in South Australia’s APY (Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara) lands, and most of his paintings insert his unlikely subjects into this vivid desert backdrop.

Vincent’s great grandfather was renowned landscape painter Albert Namatjira – a pioneer of contemporary Indigenous Australian art, who died in 1959. ‘I’ve done a lot of research into my great-grandfather Albert Namatjira’s story, and I knew that in his time, he met the Queen and received the Coronation medal’ says Vincent. ‘So I feel proud to accept this award and continue the Namatjira legacy as important artists and strong, proud representatives for our people and our country.’

Vincent’s work has been exhibited across Australia and worldwide. He was the winner of the 2019 Ramsay Art Prize, and his self portrait with his great grandfather Albert Namatjira and Chuck Berry (!) was highly commended in the Archibald prize in 2018.

Vincent Namatjira OAM is represented in Melbourne by THIS IS NO FANTASY dianne tanzer + nicola stein.