Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart's visually controversial oil portrait of the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, Australia's capital Canberra, has become a hot topic in the media after the museum requested its removal from the exhibition and the museum refused.
The museum made the following statements in its official statement on the subject;
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE ON DISPLAY 'IN ITS ENTIRETY' UNTIL JULY 21
"The National Gallery welcomes the public to engage in dialog about our collection and exhibitions. Since 1973, when the National Gallery acquired Jackson Pollocks' Blue Poles, there has been a dynamic debate about the artistic merits of works in the national collection and/or exhibited in the Gallery. We present art to the Australian public to inspire people to discover, experience and learn about art.
Vincent Namatjira: Australia in Colour will be on display in its entirety until its closing date of 21 July 2024."
'I PAİNT THE WORLD AS I SEE IT'
The painter Vincent Namatjira made the following statement;
"I paint the world as I see it. People don't necessarily like my paintings, but I hope they take the time to think: 'Why did this Aboriginal man paint these powerful people? What is he trying to say?'
I paint people who are rich or powerful or important, people who have a direct or indirect influence on this country and on me personally, for better or for worse.
Some people may not like it, some people may find it funny, but I hope people will look beneath the surface and see the serious side."
The portrait was painted by artist Vincent Namatjira as part of an exhibition of 21 portraits, which includes Rinehart's portrait, as well as an oil portrait of musician Jimi Hendrix and Queen Elizabeth.
