Ngapa Jukurrpa by Sabrina Nangala Robertson 61x61cm 7523SR

Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming) by Sabrina Nangala Robertson

Sabrina Nangala Robertson’s Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming) captures the rich spiritual essence of the Mikanji watercourse, a sacred site west of Yuendumu. Through her unique artistic lens, Sabrina interprets the ancient Dreaming story with motifs that blend tradition and innovation. Her use of white clusters to symbolize mangkurdu (cumulus and stratocumulus clouds) showcases her ability to convey both cultural depth and modern visual appeal.

This Dreaming narrative underscores the importance of mulju , vital sources of water in the creek bed, and is deeply tied to the custodianship of the Jangala/Jampijinpa men and Nangala/Nampijinpa women. The story tells of a rain ancestor traveling from Puyurru to Mikanji, where two blind women of the Nampijinpa skin group sat near the soakages. The ancestor unleashed a fierce storm, and as the women strained their eyes to see the sky, their tears fell as rain, forging a spiritual connection with the land. Today, their spirits are said to live on as two ngapiri (river red gums) growing by the soakages.

Sabrina, the second eldest daughter of acclaimed artist Dorothy Napangardi and sister to Julie Nangala Robertson, continues her family’s legacy with grace and innovation. Recently, she adopted the surname "Robertson," marking a new chapter in her artistic journey while maintaining her deep connection to her heritage.

Ngapa Jukurrpa exemplifies Sabrina’s mastery in weaving ancestral stories into her art, inviting audiences to explore the beauty and spirituality of the Yuendumu landscape through a contemporary yet deeply respectful lens.