NLA image of person
Wenten Rubuntja Wenten Rubuntja i(A71940 works by)
Born: Established: 1923 Northern Territory, ; Died: Ceased: 3 Jul 2005 Alice Springs, Southern Northern Territory, Northern Territory,
Gender: Male
Heritage: Aboriginal Anmatyerre / Anmatyerr ; Aboriginal Arrernte ; Aboriginal
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BiographyHistory

Wenten Rubuntja was a painter and land rights activist. A leading figure of the Indigenous cultural and political world, he achieved an international reputation as a painter. Throughout his life he worked with great energy, humour and imagination to encourage reconciliation between Australia's Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Rubuntja participated in the establishment of the Central Land Council and was an important figure in the fight to strengthen the Land Rights Act in 1976. The work of Albert Namatjira influenced Wenten's style as an artist. Rubuntja alternated between painting in acrylics and watercolours, always depicting themes of his Dreaming.

Most Referenced Works

Personal Awards

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon The Town Grew Up Dancing : The Life and Art of Wenten Rubuntja Alice Springs : Jukurrpa Books , 2002 Z1002764 2002 single work autobiography

'The Town Grew Up Dancing is Wenten Rubuntja’s story. It provides a rare view of events that shaped the life of an Arrernte man who has made a major contribution to the art and politics of his time. Wenten was a key figure in the land rights movement in Central Australia in the mid-1970s and has since played a lively and formative role as an Aboriginal statesman in his home town of Alice Springs. He is highly respected for the depth and breadth of his traditional knowledge and for his unique skills as a negotiator. This book reveals the humour and wisdom of an Aboriginal man skilled at engaging in both the traditional and the contemporary worlds. The story is told in Wenten’s own words – in his first language, Arrernte, with accompanying translations, and in Aboriginal English. The book also includes the voices of many who have been close to Wenten, including members of his own family, and others who have worked with him over the years. Additional commentary is provided by linguist and artist Jenny Green and historian Tim Rowse. This fascinating and innovative book weaves together autobiography and biography in a powerful story of recent Indigenous history in Australia. The book features Wenten’s own commentary on his paintings, and photographs in colour and black and white bring his story and Alice Springs’ colourful past vividly to life.' (Source: IAD Press website)

2004 Kiriyama Pacific Rim Book Prize Non-fiction Notable Book
Last amended 24 Dec 2012 09:54:46
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