Neey-too-gulpa

"Albert Namatjira's reputation rests on his landscapes. His paintings of other subjects are less well known. Recent discoveries reveal that, particularly during the early years of his career, he produced portraits (at least three profile heads and one rare standing figure), scenes of daily life, animals and buildings, all of which are either integrated into, or juxtaposed against, the landAn examination of these works reveals that most of his paintings that depart from 'country' appear to have arisen from commissions or special circumstances. Their naive charm lies in keen observation and expressive power...
The portrait of Nguritooyalpa or Neey-too-gulpa c.1937 was originally exhibited in 1939 as Neey-too-gulpa (Ngalia tribesman), in Namatjira's second solo exhibition held at the Royal Art Society Gallery in Adelaide. The sale price was 7 guineas. It was purchased by a solider (Roy Edwards) who had provided financial assistance to Namatjira when he met the artist in Central Australia. Namatjira had originally given the painting to his benefactor after he supplied Namatjira with paper and paint, which the young man could ill afford at the time. Namatjira's new friend...lent the work to the exhibition and bought it back in order to further assist Namatjira financially." ( A. French Seeing the Centre: The Art of Albert Namatjira, Canberra, 2003 pp. 37-44)