AustLit

'The master from Marnpi traces Namarari's journey as a child, survivor, stockman, traveller, artist, family leader, cultural advocate and community member through his life as a boy, adult and old man. This detailed and sensitive narration of Namarari's fascinating life in Australia's desert settlements yield broader insights into the lives of Aboriginal artists, the meaning of their art and the integral role of Aboriginal art centres in establishing and supporting the artist in the marketplace. The book traces the course of Namarari's life. It explores his childhood in the desert and his move to the mission and of Central Australian cattle stations from Marnpi and Ilpilli to Hermannsburg and on to Tempe Downs (1920s-1930s). it charts his adult life in the cross-cultural milieu of Central Australian settlements, such as Haasts Bluff and Papunya, west of Alice Springs (1940s-1960s), and uncovers his largely hidden roles of educator and family man from Papunya and Mount Liebig to Kintore and Nyunmanu (1970s-1990s). Original oral history interviews and catalogue raisonne research reveal the strong working relationship Namarari had with Papunya Tula Artists. The more than seventy paintings in The master from Marnpi highlight his exemplary art career (1971-1998). His relationships with key relatives, supporters and art advisors show Namarari to be an inventive hard-working artist and a humble man. Namarari is the only Wester Desert artist to win these significant awards: the National Aboriginal Art Award, the Alice Prize (co-winner) and the prestigious Red Ochre Award. If there had been an award for generous cross-cultural teacher he would have won that too. (Publication summary)