Rex Battarbee, artist & Albert Namtjira's friend

This beautifully produced monograph on Australian artist Rex Battarbee (1893 – 1973) promises to become the definitive account of the artist and his close relationship with Arrernte artist Albert Namatjira (1902 – 1959).

Battarbee introduced Namatjira to the art of watercolour painting at the Hermannsburg Mission in 1934 and continued to encourage him and champion his work throughout the rest of his career. Co- written by Battarbee’s daughter Gayle Quarmby and arts publisher Ken McGregor. The book draws extensively on the Battarbee family archive and richly illustrated with many previously unpublished photographs of Rex Battarbee, Albert Namatjira, and artists of the Hermannsburg community. Illustrations and information on Battarbee’s artistic development and reproductions of artwork sourced from major public and private collections.

Rex Battarbee’s daughter, Gayle Quarmby, uses the primary sources of her fathers’ stories, diaries, journals and letters to tell of art and life in Central Australia, his friendship with Albert Namatjira and the artists based at Hermannsburg Mission.

This book brings with it a whisper of humanity and place, and the knife edge of legislative barriers for Indigenous Australians.

Albert was talented, ambitious and a strong man, with a vision to change his people’s future and Rex believed in his ability to do so.

____________

Published by Badger Editions, Melbourne ,2026. 
In pictorial laminated hardcover with extensive full colour images.
296 pages, dimensions; 31cm x 25.3