B. 1916-1983

Richard Moketarinja was an artist of the Western Arrernte language group. Born near Hermannsburg, he was schooled at the mission and later worked as a builder on the mission station. In 1940, Moketarinja undertook a one-month painting trip with Rex Battarbee, who was impressed with his drawing skills and style. The following year he would go on another trip with Battarbee and Albert Namatjiri. 

Although he made a reasonable living from painting boomerangs, Moketarinja did not take painting seriously until the late 1940’s, after he returned from his service with the Army Labour Gang. Moketarinja’s works are held within the collections of many major public collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria, the Art Gallery of South Australia, and the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art. 

To learn more about this artist, click here.