Vincent Namatjira OAM, the great-grandson of acclaimed watercolour artist Albert Namatjira, has become the first Indigenous artist to win the Archibald Prize for his painting, Stand strong for who you are.
Mr Namatjira, from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in northern South Australia, was selected as winner of the prestigious prize today.
Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall today congratulated Mr Namatjira on his history-making win.
“I send my sincere congratulations to Mr Namatjira; he is an absolute inspiration for young South Australian artists.
“His big achievement today is in addition to winning the significant Ramsay Art Prize last year for his work, Close Contact.”
Namatjira’s work has been nominated for the Archibald Prize several times and he has become internationally renowned with his works on display at many notable destinations, including the British Museum in London.
