EWALD NAMATJIRA

Ewald Namatjira was born the third son of Albert and Rubina on the 11th of July 1930. As a young child he would often complain of ill health and was subsequently allowed to spend more time at home or on painting trips with his father. He took up painting in 1947 and from the outset he surprised Pastor Albrecht who had thought him to have little artistic abilty. Rex Battarbee noted that his early works exhibited originality and credited them for their atmosperic and decorative qualities. Especially evident in his landscapes were interesting patterns and design qualities.

In July 1949, at the age of 19, Ewald was involved in a hunting accident with a rifle. This caused the loss of sight in his right eye. He recovered from the injury, and continued to paint, though his injury altered his abilities and the direction of his style. In some of Ewald's later work, the landscape has a slanted appearance. One of the strengths was his colouration where he employed deep reds, purples, ochres and vivid golds.

He passed away in 1984.

© Adrian Newstead