Namatjira & Ngapartji Ngapartji delve into the complex interplay between Indigenous and non-Indigenous experiences. These narratives encompass themes of family, friendship, land, myth, life, and death, all set within the social and political context of their respective eras. While these stories resonate universally, they also encapsulate specific moments in Australian history and culture.
Namatjira recounts the life of Albert Namatjira (1902–1959), Australia’s renowned Indigenous watercolor artist who achieved notable commercial success, yet remains relatively unknown. His story sheds light on the dynamics between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, both in the past and present.
Named after the Pitjantjatjara concept of exchange and reciprocity, Ngapartji Ngapartji—co-created with Trevor Jamieson—offers a poignant exploration of Indigenous history. It delves into themes of dispossession and displacement from land, home, and family, particularly focusing on a Pitjantjatjara family forcibly relocated due to the testing of British atomic bombs at Maralinga.