Yavuz Gallery, a prominent figure in the contemporary art scene in the Asia Pacific, is excited to announce the major debut exhibition Desert Songs by Western Aranda artist Vincent Namatjira OAM. The exhibition will run from the 5th to the 28th of October, 2023, at the Yavuz Gallery, located in Surry Hills, Sydney. This significant event coincides with the upcoming monograph published by Thames and Hudson, as well as a substantial survey, Australia in colour, which will be presented at the Art Gallery of South Australia in 2023 and the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, in 2024.
To commemorate the launch of the exhibition, Yavuz Gallery will host a complimentary artist talk featuring Vincent Namatjira in an engaging conversation with Alexie Glass-Kantor, the Executive Director of Artspace, on Saturday, 7th October at 2pm. Desert Songs will comprise thirteen new paintings, providing a profound look into the themes of leadership, power, and legacy. The exhibition allows Namatjira to delve into his own deeply personal histories through portraits of influential figures who have shaped his life and journey in art, music, and politics.
Namatjira’s bold and unashamedly political paintings challenge viewers to contemplate what it means to be Indigenous in Australia, or indeed, the world. The Yavuz Gallery presentation will also showcase celebrated works by Namatjira, including Vincent and Vincent, Charles on Country, and Desert Songs (Albert Namatjira). Born in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, and currently residing in Indulkana on A?angu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, South Australia, Namatjira is an astute observer of national and international politics. His thoughtful and often subversive portraits use wit and heart to interrogate the complex colonial narratives that pervade Australia’s relationship with the Empire from a contemporary Aboriginal perspective.
Namatjira explains his approach and inspiration saying, “I started painting portraits because I’m interested in people and power, wealth and politics. For me, portraiture is a way of putting myself in someone else’s shoes as well as to share with the viewer what it might be like to be in my shoes. I use portraiture to look at my identity and my family history.” He goes on to add, “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to utilise cheeky humour side-by-side with gut wrenchingly hard stories. Desert Songs is inspired by these stories.”
Can Yavuz, the founder and director of Yavuz Gallery, expressed tremendous pride in presenting Desert Songs, describing it as a “seminal body of work by one of Australia’s most prominent artists.” According to him, the exhibition tells the stories of Namatjira’s community and all they have endured, celebrating icons of Aboriginal music, and utilising his signature wit to bring other familiar faces onto his Country. Yavuz praised Namatjira’s ability to use ‘Guerrilla’ humour as a tactics in his art, describing it as one of the artist’s greatest attributes.
The exhibition, Desert Songs, promises to be an insightful, captivating exploration through history and culture, and is a must-see for anyone with an interest in contemporary art. Mark your calendars for this significant event, and prepare to immerse yourself in the narratives of Vincent Namatjira.
As we revel in the captivating performances by Einaudi, we mustn’t forget the critical role each one of us plays within our communities. This year, alongside the concerto, we have a momentous opportunity to shape the future through our voice – The Voice Referendum. This significant event requires your participation. The decisions made through this referendum will resonate for generations, influencing our societal fabric. Let’s come together and make our collective voice heard. Mark the date – 5th February 2024, ensure you cast your vote. You can register now at www.voicereferendum.gov. Don’t let this opportunity pass; your voice matters!