The power of art takes a billionaire down a notch. Australia’s richest woman, Gina Rinehart (wants to profit-rape destroying Alberta’s Grassy Mountain in the Rockies and pollute drinking water for many) fails to have portrait of her removed from exhibition by award-winning Vincent Namatjira.

Gina Rinehart demands National Gallery of Australia remove her portrait, NGA rebuffs efforts by billionaire to take down painting by award-winning artist Vincent Namatjira by Australian Associated Press, 15 May 2024, The Guardian

The mining billionaire Gina Rinehart has demanded the National Gallery of Australia remove her portrait from an exhibition by the award-winning artist Vincent Namatjira.

The image, arguably an unflattering To my eyes, it’s gorgeous – a stunningly accurate portrait of Ms. Reinhart’s character and greed.picture of Australia’s richest woman, is one of many portraits unveiled at the Canberra gallery as part of the Archibald prize-winning artist’s first major survey exhibition.

The National Gallery has rebuffed efforts to have the picture taken down and said in a statement that it welcomed 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 Queen Elizabeth II and football player Adam Goodes and is set to be on display until 21 July.

Before going on show in Canberra, the painting was on public display in Adelaide for months during the exhibition’s initial run at the Art Gallery of South Australia from October 2023 until January 2024.

The SA gallery has confirmed it did not field any requests for the removal of the painting.

A reproduction of the image is also part of a prestigious Thames & Hudson monograph about Namatjira’s work, published to accompany the survey show.

Rinehart is listed as a friend of the National Gallery after donating between $4,999 and $9,999 to the institution.

She has been contacted for comment through her company Hancock Prospecting.

In 2023, Rinehart withdrew a $15m sponsorship of Netball Australia after the Indigenous netballer Donnell Wallam asked for her uniform not to carry the Hancock Prospecting logo.

Rinehart later set up a $3m fund to reward athletes who won gold medals or set world records in swimming, artistic swimming, rowing and volleyball.

In 2020 Namatjira became the first Aboriginal artist to win the Archibald prize with his portrait of Goodes, with his paintings about changing people’s perspectives by using satirical humour as a commentary on power.

In one of his recent works included in the show, King Charles III stands in his regalia in the central desert, looking decidedly uncomfortable and out of place, as a way of depriving the royal family of their power and entitlement.

Born in Alice Springs, Namatjira was raised in foster care in Perth from the age of six, which meant losing his connection to family, country and culture.

He grew up not knowing of his link to the famed watercolourist Albert Namatjira – Vincent is his great-grandson – until he was an adult, and was astonished to discover his artistic legacy and the significance of his family name.

Refer also to:

2024: Court of Appeal of Alberta dismisses Altius Royalty appeal v Alberta. Retired law prof Nigel Bankes: “Good news. It won’t help the coal companies (Cabin Ridge, Atrium, Montem, Northback/Grassy) in their claims to compensation” against gov’t of Alberta.

2024: Letters to the Editor on UCP meddling in AER affairs, serving Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart’s Benga/Northback Grassy Mountain coal mine that’ll pollute water for many (water Alberta’s fast running out of).

2024: Billionaire Gina Rinehart’s Benga/Northback Coal (wants to destroy Alberta’s Grassy Mountain, contaminate water for many) bribes Livingston School Division with $75,000 (that doesn’t buy many loads of water) and treats (indoctrinates) kids to breakfast using them as propaganda. Why do communities bribed by water raping corporations not say no? High River Mayor Craig Snodgrass has choice words of wisdom for Energy Minster Brian Jean and his floppy hush puppy, AER.

2024: After Alberta Court denies Benga/Northback’s request for judicial review of no to billionaire Gina Rinehart’s destructive Grassy Mountain coalmine because of risks to drinking water for millions of Canadians, Harper judge, ex-Irving Shipping lawyer Richard Southcott, Federal Court, says yes (for additional First Nation consultations; dismisses Benga’s application in clear loss for the company).

2021: Gov’t of Canada: Grassy Mountain Coal project “likely to have significant adverse environmental effects that cannot be justified and the project cannot proceed.” What will this do to Benga’s legal appeal of AER/Joint Review Panel’s rejection?

2021: Nikiforuk: Who saved Alberta’s mountaintops and precious clean water? Albertans. “Coal Bullshit” Grassy Mountain project is dead. No thanks to Kenney Gov’t or regulators. annie_fiftyseven: “What a bloody circle-jerk.”

2021: AER says no to Grassy Mountain Coal Mine. Must be the “F*ck You Kenney, Mountains Not Mines” mugs going around, reporting by Andrew Nikiforuk, thousands of Albertans yelling “NO!” and study by Brad Stelfox et. al. because “Public Interest” is nowhere in REDA or AER’s mandate.

2020: Canadian & Alberta gov’ts & Australian coal billionaire Gina Rinehart! Listen up: “Water is more important than coal and mountains hold more value than mines.”

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