Paul Warren Poet Ballad

Albert Namatjira

Albert Namatjira was a landscape painter of world renown 
A proud western Arrernte man from Alice Springs town
During his life he was not a rich man
Living with his people off the land

When in Alice Springs and needing a lift around
He’d hire a taxi for a ride into town
Offering a painting for the fare
Sometimes those accepted were thrown away without care

These drivers would now shake their head 
At the prize they tossed away instead
And what the world lost in their foolishness
Of Namatjira’s art as one of the best.

© Paul Warren Poetry

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Lindsay Laurie March 25, 2019 at 5:23 PM G'day Paul … Albert was truly a master painter of the outback. When taken to Sydney his life spiralled out of control unfortunately. I reckon a few taxi drivers would be kicking themselves now - Lindsay