Australia's wealthiest female requests the removal of her painting from the display.
In a painting by Indigenous artist Vincent Namatjira, Australia's wealthiest person, mining magnate Gina Rinehart, is depicted.
Rinehart has allegedly demanded the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) to take down her portrait from the exhibit, which is composed of 21 individual works in Namatjira's "Australia in Colour" exhibition running in the capital city of Canberra since March.
Apart from Rinehart, the painting features the late Queen Elizabeth II, American musician Jimi Hendrix, Australian Aboriginal rights activist Vincent Lingiari, and former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
According to Australian media, Rinehart requested the removal of the artwork from NGA's director and chair.
The NGA released a statement to CNN on Thursday, saying, "We welcome the public engaging in a dialogue on our collection and displays."
"Ever since 1973, when the National Gallery acquired Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles, there has been an ongoing discussion on the artistic merits of works in the national collection and those displayed at the Gallery," the statement continued. "We present art to the Australian public to engage them in exploring, experiencing, and learning about art."
Namatjira stated, "I paint people who are wealthy, powerful, or significant - people who have had an impact on this country and me personally, whether directly or indirectly, whether good or bad."
"I paint the world as I see it. People don't have to like my paintings, but I hope they take the time to question, 'why has this Aboriginal man painted these powerful people? What is he trying to say?'"
"Some might not like it," Namatjira concluded, "others may find it amusing, but I hope many look beneath the surface and see the more serious aspect as well."
Hancock Prospecting, the mining company founded by Rinehart's father, is run by Rinehart. Her estimated net worth is $30.2 billion USD, making her the richest person in Australia, as reported by Forbes in February.
The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) has come out in support of Namatjira, according to 9News. NAVA's executive director, Penelope Benton, warned that Rinehart's request to remove the painting "sets a dangerous precedent for censorship and the restriction of creative expression."
"Although Rinehart has the right to express her opinions about the artwork, she doesn't have the authority to force the gallery into removing the painting just because she doesn't like it," Benton said.
NAVA offered its "unwavering support" to the National Gallery of Australia, 9News reported.
Read also:
- Caught up in the present: the end of "The Crown"
- Through New Year's Eve with TV shows
- What's next for the series hits?
- Which shows will be on?
In response to the criticism of her depiction in the artwork, Rinehart proposed a new approach to the portrayal of powerful figures in the style of modern arts.
Emanating from Namatjira's involvement in the arts scene, there have been discussions about the role of style and arts in promoting critical discourse and free expression.
Source: edition.cnn.com
