To celebrate the launch of Vincent Namatjira: Australia in colour, the National Gallery has commissioned a new projection and sound-based work by Namatjira to illuminate the building’s exterior for the 2024 Enlighten Festival – titled Indigenous All Stars. The commission will be projected onto the National Gallery’s 60 metre western façade and feature a composite video/animation bringing the artist’s works of art to life.
Indigenous All Stars highlights Vincent Namatjira’s Indigenous heroes, including great historical and political leaders Eddie Koiki Mabo, Vincent Lingiari and Albert Namatjira, sporting stars Adam Goodes, Cathy Freeman and Nicky Winmar, and the Tjilpi (senior men/elders) from Namatjira’s home on the APY Lands of South Australia.Together these portraits demonstrate the strength and power of Indigenous leadership and are an unapologetic celebration of Aboriginal excellence.
The projection is accompanied by an original score created by Vincent Namatjira in collaboration with Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara guitarist-composer Jeremy Whiskey, also from Indulkana.