According to reports, Rinehart has requested that her portrait, which is one of 21 separate pieces that together comprise Namatjira’s exhibition “Australia in Colour,” be taken down from display by the National Gallery of Australia (NGA).
Since March, the show has been on display at the gallery located in Canberra, the capital city of Australia.
The late Queen Elizabeth II, American singer Jimi Hendrix, Australian Aboriginal rights campaigner Vincent Lingiari, and former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison are among the other subjects covered in the piece.
According to Australian media, Rinehart made a request for the painting’s removal by speaking with the NGA’s chair and director.
The NGA said in a statement to CNN Thursday that it “welcomes the public having a dialogue on our collection and displays.”
“Since 1973, when the National Gallery acquired Jackson Pollocks’ 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,” the NGA statement continued. “We present works of art to the Australian public to inspire people to explore, experience and learn about art.”
Namatjira said in a statement that he paints “people who are wealthy, powerful, or significant – people who have had an influence on this country, and on me personally, whether directly or indirectly, whether for good or for bad.”
At Hancock Prospecting, a privately held mining firm that her father, Lang Hancock, founded, Rinehart serves as executive chairman.
According to Forbes, Rinehart’s estimated net worth is $30.2 billion USD. As the publication noted in February, she “remained unshakable” at the top of Forbes’ list of Australia’s 50 Richest Persons for 2024.
CNN
