In this heart-warming finale episode of Great Southern Landscapes, art lover Rachel Griffiths treks to central Australia and Western Arrernte country to find the very spot Albert Namatjira painted his 1954 masterpiece of Rutjipma – Mount Sonder.
Rachel’s first destination is Adelaide, to see the original watercolour on the wall at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
Arriving at Ntaria (Hermannsburg) in Central Australia, Rachel meets Namatjira’s granddaughter Betty at Albert’s original house.
Rachel then meets an unexpected collector, Greg Dick, who owns the Aileron Roadhouse some 130kms north of Alice Springs. Greg is the proud owner of more than 300 original Namatjira paintings, which cram the walls of his quirky gallery.
Namatjira’s legacy continues today at the Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) where local artists paint in the tradition of watercolours.
As evening falls, Rachel’s next port of call is at the Parrtjima Festival, representing an explosion of contemporary Indigenous art through the medium of light and sound.
As the sun sets behind the mountains, Rachel arrives at Rutjipma – Mount Sonder, reflects on how far she has travelled and takes on the advice given to her along the journey – sit, listen and enjoy.
Production credit: A Mint Pictures production in association with Magdalene Media. Principal production investment from Screen Australia and the ABC. In association with Screen NSW. Series Director Ariel White. Field Producer Kirrilly Brentall. Series Producer Dan Goldberg. Executive Producers Adam Kay, Rachel Griffiths & Ariel White. ABC Commissioning Editor Julia Hanna. Acting Head of Factual and Culture Richard Huddleston. ABC Commercial holds worldwide distribution right.
