South Australia’s incredibly talented artist, Vincent Namatjira, has today won the prestigious Archibald Prize for his self-portrait alongside Adam Goodes.
Vincent is the first Aboriginal artist to ever win the prize in the award’s 99-year history.
Three of the Archibald finalists in 2020 are artists based in Indulkana in the APY Lands, a remote community with a population around 250.
The achievements of these three amazing South Australians – Vincent Namatjira, Tiger Yaltangki and Kaylene Whiskey – stand as a great tribute to all of the local artists and those who support them.
Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Kyam Maher, and Shadow Minister for the Arts, Jayne Stinson, visited Vincent at Iwantja Arts in Indulkana last month.
Offering their congratulations today, they both agreed the highly lauded acknowledgement was well overdue.
It was fourth time lucky for Vincent, great-grandson of artist Albert Namatjira, who also won $100,000 in prize money.
Amata’s Nyunmiti Burton, from Tjala Arts, was also awarded for her painting, Seven Sisters – winning both the Roberts Family and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Prize.
Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Kyam Maher
Today is a historic day. I could not be happier for Vincent. He is not only an incredibly talented artist, but an excellent advocate for his community and a good friend.
It was wonderful to be able to spend some time with him in the APY Lands recently and witness his magnificent paintings first-hand.
Three Archibald finalists would be a remarkable achievements for any town – let alone a remote community with a population around 250.
Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for the Arts Jayne Stinson
Vincent combines artistic, skill, humour and thought-provoking political views to highlight issues important to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. It’s wonderful to see his work recognised at the highest level.
South Australia’s APY Lands are at the forefront of national contemporary art and Vincent’s historic achievement illuminates the work of all our talented Aboriginal artists.
Vincent is amazingly talented and today is a momentous step in recognising and formally acknowledging Aboriginal artists at such a prestigious level.