Water Dreaming by Sabrina Robertson Nangala, 122x36cm 9322SR

Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming) by Sabrina Nangala Robertson

Sabrina Nangala Robertson’s Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming) is a captivating representation of the Dreaming story associated with Mikanji, a usually dry watercourse west of Yuendumu. This sacred narrative features mulju (soakages) in the creek bed and holds profound cultural significance for the Jangala/Jampijinpa men and Nangala/Nampijinpa women, who are its custodians.

Sabrina’s artwork uses iconic motifs to tell this story, including concentric circles representing mulju and the arc shapes symbolise the body paint worn during ceremonies held in honour of this Dreaming. Her compositions reflect a deep understanding of traditional storytelling while showcasing a modern artistic flair.

The Dreaming traces the journey of a rain ancestor traveling from Puyurru, northwest of Yuendumu, to a mulju in the Mikanji creek. Here, two blind women of the Nampijinpa skin group were seated by the soakages. When the rain ancestor unleashed a mighty storm at Mikanji, the women strained their eyes to see the sky, and their tears became rain, forming a spiritual connection to the land. Their spirits endure, embodied as two ngapiri (river red gums) standing near the soakage.

As the second eldest daughter of the celebrated artist Dorothy Napangardi and sister to Julie Nangala Robertson, Sabrina carries forward her family’s artistic legacy. Her surname was previously spelled as "Robinson," marking a recent update in her public identity.

This visually rich and culturally resonant piece exemplifies Sabrina’s mastery of blending heritage with contemporary expression, offering viewers a powerful connection to the landscape and stories of Yuendumu.