The distinctive talent of internationally renowned Australian artist,Tony Rafty, now 95, shines through in this detailed caricature of Keith Namatjira , fourth son of Central Australian Aboriginal artist , Albert Namatjira, who looked so much like his famous father. It is interesting to note at this time of the royal visit that Keith, a teenager , was present when his father was presented to Queen Elizabeth 11 , in Canberra, on her first visit to Australia in 1954.
Soon after Cyclone Tracy , I called on Rafty at the The Sun newspaper building , Sydney , he having been responsible for me entering journalism as a teenager. He asked after Jim Bowditch, former NT News editor, an old friend . Then , from his files, he took out this drawing of Keith Namatjira , who died in 1977, and penned a message, wishing me all the best after the "STORM."
He later gave me a copy of the book TONY RAFTY’S GOLFERS A Treasury of Stars in Caricature , written by Fairfax sports writer Terry Smith, with a whimsical sketch about Bowditch playing golf and sinking ‘em at the 19th. In it Jim was drawn inserted up to his neck in the cup on a green, lining up the golfball with a prominent snozz.
Last year the Australian Embassy in Indonesia held an exhibition of Rafty’s sketches and drawings at Surabaya as part of the National Heroes Day celebrations which honour those who fought for the country during the Dutch colonial period and the Japanese occupation. ( See post below ).
An exhibition of Rafty’s cricket caricatures is now being held in the International Cricket Hall of Fame , Bowral, NSW, running through until January .
