'Namatjira to Now' Exhibition, Parliament House, Canberra, 2014

Namatjira to Now Exhibition TripNovember, 2014

We were excited and nervous about flying to, and talking at the exhibition in Canberra.

Sydney stop-over on our way to Canberra

We all liked beingon the ferry.It was Aretha’s first time to be on Sydney Harbour.

Having fun at Manly Beach.

National Portrait GallerySitting with our artist mentors, Lenie Namatjira and Gloria Pannka.

One of many media calls.

National Portrait Gallery. A portrait of Albert Namatjiraby William Dargie is behind us.

Giving portrait drawing a go.We drew each other by looking at each others faces.

We looked at a Hermannsburg Pot .Katrina, the educator told us this potwas a portrait of Ntaria Community.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

Checking out the art scene on our way to the shops.

Eating Chinese noodles and dumplings.

Checking out the art in the National Art Gallery

This is the first work we saw.It is by an indigenous artist from Queensland. Her name isThapich Gloria Fletcher.

Standing in a James Turrell art piece, ‘Within and Without’.This little house was surrounded by blue water. We liked it lotsbecause it was outside and big.

National Art GalleryAll together as a group in the watercolour gallery.

From left to right:Kevin, Semra, Holly, Sophia, Cheyanne, Wendy, Aretha, Mervyn, Gloria, Lenie, Marisa

National Art Gallery

Looking at art works in the Gallery and drawing using ipads.

John, the educator showed us lots of great drawing apps.

Lenie and Gloria talking to us aboutthe text panels in the exhibition.

There is a large indigenous language map on the wall.

Namatjira to Now Exhibition

Meeting politicians

Senator Nigel Scullionliked our art.

Our animation playson a big screen.

Warren Snowdentold us not to be shamedwhen talking in public.

Will showed us aroundParliament House. We are standing under the big tower.

We liked the naan bread and the butter chicken curry. Naan bread is like damper.

Eating Indian food.

Everyone sitting around a big table in the Taj Mahal restaurantsharing Indian curries.

Our speeches at the exhibition opening

Singing a hymnwith Lenie, Gloria,and Trevor

Jameson.

Trevor played Albertin the Namatjira Play. Aretha and Semra being

brave at the podiumin front of a big mobof people at the opening.

Power Kart Racing

The winners!

Aretha in Kart 5“I learnt to go fast around corners.”

Semra in Kart 2 “I learnt not to slow down around corners.” Cheyanne in Kart 14 “I learnt to go fast on the straights.”

Ntaria (famous) Senior Girls

Cheyanne Driffen Aretha Namatjira

THANKSemra Williams

QANTAS sponsorship for getting us there and back safely.

The big hART crew andthe artists.

Our teachers, Wendy Cowanand Carmen Robinson for believing in us.

And everyone who made this amazing experience happen. Endora marra!