Major gift of Albert Namatjira paintings celebrated in exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia
(Artdaily.org)

The National Gallery of Australia is celebrating the philanthropic legacy of L. Gordon Darling AC, CMG and Marilyn Darling AC with Painting Country, a comprehensive survey of watercolours and painted objects by Western Arrarnta artist Albert Namatjira. Featuring 40 works of art gifted by the Darlings to the NGA, this stunning exhibition captures the renowned Australian benefactors’ immense appreciation of Namatjira’s impact and lasting influence. These works have never been displayed in public. The exhibition looks at Namatjira’s early focus on people and animals and includes a series of watercolours that track the ancient path of one of the oldest waterways in the world, the Finke River, as it carves its way to the edge of the Simpson Desert. The majority of the NGA’s collection of Namatjira’s works was generously gifted by the Darlings from their