Why Australia’s richest person wants her portrait removed from museum

Australian mining billionaire Gina Rinehart has demanded the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) remove her portrait from an exhibition by the award-winning artist Vincent Namatjira. Rinehart, who is Australia’s richest person, finds the image unflattering. The portrait is part of Namatjira’s first major survey exhibition, currently on display at the Canberra gallery.

The NGA has rebuffed efforts to have the picture taken down, stating that it welcomes public dialogue on its collection and displays. “Since 1973, when the National Gallery acquired Jackson Pollock’s 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,” it said. “We present works of art to the Australian public to inspire people to explore, experience and learn about art.”

The portrait of Rinehart hangs alongside images of late Queen Elizabeth II, Australian football player Adam Goodes, and former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and is set to be on display until 21 July. Before its showing in Canberra, the painting was exhibited in Adelaide at the Art Gallery of South Australia from October 2023 until January 2024 without any requests for its removal.

What did Namatjira have to say?

Namatjira’s work is known for his caricature-like depictions of people in almost cartoonish forms. One of his notable works shows King Charles III in full regalia in the Australian desert, looking uncomfortable and out of place. “I paint the world as I see it,” Namatjira told media on Thursday.

“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?’ I paint 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. 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.”

Despite the controversy, the NGA has received only a dozen complaints about Rinehart’s portrait, including some from athletes sponsored by her company, Hancock Prospecting. One complaint even accused the NGA of “doing the bidding of the Chinese Communist Party” with the portrait of Rinehart, reported News Australia.

Nonetheless, the NGA has refused to move the painting, emphasising its mission to inspire public exploration and learning about art.

Vincent Namatjira’s artistic legacy

Vincent Namatjira, the first Aboriginal artist to win the Archibald Prize in 2020 with his portrait of Adam Goodes, is known for using satirical humour to comment on power.

Born in Alice Springs and raised in foster care in Perth, Namatjira lost his connection to family, country, and culture at a young age. He grew up unaware of his link to the famed watercolourist Albert Namatjira, discovering as an adult his artistic legacy and the significance of his family name.

His work aims to challenge perspectives and provoke thought, as seen in his ongoing exhibition, “Vincent Namatjira: Australia in Colour,” which features 21 pieces of his work.

A reproduction of Rinehart’s portrait is also part of a prestigious Thames & Hudson monograph about Namatjira’s work, published to accompany the survey show. The controversy surrounding the portrait has only amplified the discussion on artistic expression and its impact on public figures and society at large.

Rinehart’s controversies

Rinehart, who is listed as a friend of the NGA donated between $4,999 and $9,999 to the institution.

Her influence extends beyond the art world. In 2023, she withdrew a $15 million sponsorship of Netball Australia after Indigenous netballer Donnell Wallam asked for her uniform not to carry the Hancock Prospecting logo.

This was reportedly due to comments made by Rinehart’s father, Lang Hancock, in the 1980s, where he infamously suggested that Indigenous Australians should be sterilised to “breed themselves out” in coming years. Following the controversy, Hancock Prospecting scrapped the sponsorship deal, stating it did “not want to add to netball’s disunity problems.”

Despite the setback, Rinehart continued her support for sports by setting up a $3 million fund to reward athletes who win gold medals or set world records in swimming, artistic swimming, rowing, and volleyball.

With inputs from agencies