Namatjira and Ngapartji Ngapartji: Two plays

by Scott Rankin

Ngapartji/Ngapartji-meaning reciprocity and co-operation in Pitjantjatjara language-is an emotional, educational, effective and deeply affecting experience of indigenous history as told through Trevor Jamieson's-cocreator of the play-family, forebears and cultural traditions. Namatjira tells the moving story of Albert Namatjira, Australia's most famous Indigenous watercolour artist. His life story provides a valuable insight, not only into Australia's history, but into our modern-day relations with Indigenous people.

110 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

Reviews

[Sam Schroder · Rating 4 out of 5]

In term 2, 2019, our HSC Standard classes will study the first of these two plays for Module B, Close Study of Text. While I’m not personally teaching Standard, I wanted to read and consider the ways in which the teaching of this play can be approached so that I can support my colleagues, Anne, Ben and Nat, when they do. The play tells the story of Albert Namitjira (1902-1959), arguably Australia’s first commercially successful Aboriginal artist. Narrated and performed with an interactive, breaking of the fourth wall, approach, the play explores stories of family, friendship, land, myth, life and death. With the right pre-reading approach, I think students will find this text very accessible and engaging and I’m now looking forward to discussing it with the team when we return to school (but not for a few more weeks yet).

[Tango · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times bitingly critical and humorous but ultimately sad as are most stories of the colonisation and dispossession of Australia’s first people.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read Namatjira only