Water Dreaming 2011 by Julie Nangala Robertson 46x46cm
Water Dreaming (2011) by Julie Nangala Robertson
"Water Dreaming" (2011) by Julie Nangala Robertson is a breathtaking representation of her Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming), a sacred story deeply connected to her father’s traditional country of Pirlinyanu. This rocky outcrop in the Tanami Desert, west of Yuendumu near the Western Australia border, is a significant site for the Water Dreaming, featuring deep, naturally occurring wells that provide essential fresh water, even in times of drought. Traditional knowledge, passed down through generations, teaches which rocks to move to access these hidden water sources, highlighting the site’s cultural and survival significance.
Julie Nangala Robertson’s masterful use of an aerial perspective and a distinctive monochromatic palette, incorporating blue-grey and white dotting, gives this work extraordinary optical brilliance. By varying dot sizes and layering through intricate overdotting, she creates mesmerising patterns that evoke the movement of water and the sacred energy of the land. Her meticulous approach results in a dynamic and visually captivating composition that reflects her deep cultural connections and artistic innovation.
Winner of the 2023 Telstra Aboriginal Art Award in the Best Painting category, Julie’s work is a testament to the enduring legacy of Warlpiri storytelling and artistic expression. Through her paintings, she preserves and celebrates the ancestral knowledge of her people, ensuring that these sacred stories continue to be shared.
The eldest of five daughters of renowned artist Dorothy Napangardi, Julie recently changed the spelling of her surname to Robertson, aligning with her relatives in Yuendumu. Her father, Windy Robertson, had originally spelled it as "Robinson," though most of her extended family carries the Robertson name.
"Water Dreaming" (2011) stands as a powerful tribute to Julie Nangala Robertson’s artistic mastery and her dedication to keeping Warlpiri culture alive through her extraordinary art.