Australia's richest woman asks gallery to remove portrait of her

[JohnS]

Australia's richest woman, Gina Hancock has been in the news this week on account of her lobbying to remove art portraits of her which she considers 'offensive'. Sometimes I wonder if not bringing the issue to attention might have been a better course of action, in the first place? Read on...

Australia's richest woman asks gallery to remove portrait of her

Credit: CNN

Australia's richest woman has asked for a portrait of her to be removed from the country's national gallery, according to reports.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart was one of 21 people painted by indigenous artist Vincent Namatjira as part of a piece called Australia in Colour, which also features paintings of King Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Local media has reported Ms Rinehart approached the National Gallery of Australia's (NGA) director and chair to request the painting’s removal, as covered by ITV News' US partner CNN.

Mr Namatjira said in a statement that he paints “people who are wealthy, powerful, or significant – people who have had an influence on this country, and on me personally, whether directly or indirectly, whether for good or for bad.

“I paint the world as I see it,” he said. “People don’t have to like my paintings, but I hope they take the time to look and think, ‘why has this Aboriginal bloke painted these powerful people? What is he trying to say?’

“Some people might not like it, other people might find it funny but I hope people look beneath the surface and see the serious side too,” Namatjira added.

King Charles is among the prominent figures featured in the exhibition. Credit: CNN

Other subjects in the piece include musician Jimi Hendrix, Australian Aboriginal rights activist Vincent Lingiari and the former Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison.

The NGA said in a statement to CNN on Thursday that it “welcomes the public having a dialogue on our collection and displays.”

“Since 1973, when the National Gallery acquired Jackson Pollocks’ Blue Poles, there has been a dynamic discussion on the artistic merits of works in the national collection, and/or on display at the Gallery,” the NGA statement said. “We present works of art to the Australian public to inspire people to explore, experience and learn about art.”

Australia’s National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) has spoken out in support Namatjira, according to reports by 9News.

The artwork also features impressions of Queen Elizabeth II and Australian footballer Adam Goodes. Credit: CNN

“While Rinehart has the right to express her opinions about the work, she does not have the authority to pressure the gallery into withdrawing the painting simply because she dislikes it,” NAVA’s executive director Penelope Benton said told the outlet.

NAVA offered its “unwavering support” to the National Gallery of Australia, 9News reported, stating that it was concerned that Ms Rinehart’s demand to remove the portrait “sets a dangerous precedent for censorship and the stifling of creative expression.”

The exhibition has been running at the gallery in the Australian capital, Canberra, since March.

Ms Rinehart is the executive chairman of Hancock Prospecting, a privately owned mining company that was founded by her father, Lang Hancock.

She has an estimated net worth of $US30.2 billion (£23.9 billion), according to Forbes.

Source: https://www.itv.com/news/2024-05-17/australias-richest-woman-asks-gallery-to-remove-portrait-of-her

[NSXCIGAR]

I never thought I could be a professional artist until now. Those are all well within my ability!

[Li Bai]

You should go for it @NSXCIGAR, maybe I will too 🤣🤣😂

[westg]

How dare they do this to my Pilbara queen. You don't mess with her she will literally wipe the floor with you. Last year Queen Gina asked for 10 random names of people working on her Roy Hill site in the West Australian Pilbara on Christmas day. Each of those 10 people received a 100K. She has a substantial input into the WA economy. They should take it down.  

 

[joeypots]

On 5/18/2024 at 1:56 PM, JohnS said:

“Since 1973, when the National Gallery acquired Jackson Pollocks’ Blue Poles, there has been a dynamic discussion on the artistic merits of works in the national collection, and/or on display at the Gallery,” the NGA statement said. “We present works of art to the Australian public to inspire people to explore, experience and learn about art.”

Even if the National gallery takes down the show Blue Poles, still makes the museum worth a visit.

On 5/18/2024 at 1:56 PM, JohnS said:

one of 21 people painted by indigenous artist Vincent Namatjira

Looking at those portraits and knowing the artist is an indigenous Australian changed my thoughts about them instantly.

[Li Bai]

7 hours ago, joeypots said:

Looking at those portraits and knowing the artist is an indigenous Australian changed my thoughts about them instantly.

May I ask, why is that ?

[joeypots]

The portraits are not sympathetic representations, for the most part. I think the artist does not like Queen Elizabeth, Gina, and King Charles and that is the point of the paintings. 

[PigFish]

… by the look of it, he does not appear to like anyone!!! 🤪

[Li Bai]

4 hours ago, joeypots said:

The portraits are not sympathetic representations, for the most part. I think the artist does not like Queen Elizabeth, Gina, and King Charles and that is the point of the paintings. 

This I can understand. We all see the World through our own eyes, our own criteria...How difficult it is to see things just as they are!

But imo, art is art and when art conveys a message, it bores me...As legitimate as the message can be. 

[BrightonCorgi]

One can ask at least.

[Wookie]

It looks like he didn't start painting until he was 34. And went directly to landscapes. So he got no figurative training, which explains the rudimentary nature of the portraits. His landscapes are innovative and well rendered. 

[westg]

Yeah I guess you are right in retrospect...he may very well have used a trowel.