Australia’s richest woman asks for her portrait to be removed from exhibition

() – Art is subjective. And while many artists long to share their work with the world, there’s no guarantee that the public will understand it, or even like it.

That appears to be the case with a painting by Indigenous artist Vincent Namatjira: a portrait of Australia’s richest person, mining magnate Gina Rinehart.

Rinehart reportedly asked the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) to remove his portrait, one of 21 individual works in the exhibition.Australia in Color” by Namatjira.

The exhibition has been on display at the gallery in Canberra, the Australian capital, since March.

Other subjects in the work include the late Queen Elizabeth II, American musician Jimi Hendrix, Australian Aboriginal rights activist Vincent Lingiari and the former Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison.

Australian media reported that Rinehart approached the director and president of the NGA to request the removal of the painting.

The NGA said in a statement to on Thursday that it “welcomes the public to have a dialogue about our collection and exhibitions.”

“Since 1973, when the National Gallery acquired Blue Pollocks from Jackson Pollocks, there has been a dynamic debate about 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 “rich, powerful or significant people, people who have influenced this country and me personally, whether directly or indirectly, for better or worse.”

“I paint the world as I see it,” he explained. “People don’t have to like my paintings, but I hope they take the time to look at them and think: ‘why did this Aboriginal person paint these powerful people?’ What are you trying to say?’”

“Some may not like it, some may find it funny, but I hope people look beneath the surface and see the serious side as well,” Namatjira added.

Rinehart is the CEO of Hancock Prospecting, a private mining company founded by her father, Lang Hancock.

contacted Hancock Prospecting for comment but did not receive a response.

According to Forbes, Rinehart has an estimated net worth of $30.2 billion. Rinehart “remains immovable” in first place in the Forbes Australia’s 50 Richest List by 2024, the publication reported in February.

The National Association for the Visual Arts of Australia (NAVA) spoke out in support of Namatjira, affiliate 9News reported.

“While Rinehart has the right to express her opinions about the work, she has no authority to pressure the gallery to remove the painting simply because she does not like it,” stated Penelope Benton, executive director of NAVA. according to 9News.

The NAVA offered its “unwavering support” to the National Gallery of Australia, 9News reported, and stated it was concerned that Rinehart’s demand to remove the portrait “sets a dangerous precedent of censorship and stifling of creative expression.”