Ngapa Jukurrpa 2002 by Julie Nangala Robertson, 61x31cm

Ngapa Jukurrpa, 2002 by Julie Nangala Robertson (61 x 31 cm)

This early work, Ngapa Jukurrpa (2002), was created while Julie Nangala Robertson painted alongside her mother, the renowned Dorothy Napangardi. In this piece, she merges tradition with a minimalist aesthetic, using a monochromatic palette of blue-grey dotting over a black ground, punctuated by floating white shapes symbolising the deep rockholes of Pirlinyanu. This sacred site, located in the Tanami Desert west of Yuendumu near the Western Australian border, is a significant place for the Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming), connected to her father’s traditional country.

Pirlinyanu is known for its deep rockholes, which serve as vital water sources even in the driest times. The knowledge of these water-filled rockholes is carefully passed down through generations, ensuring their location and significance remain preserved. Julie’s painting beautifully captures the movement of rain as it falls onto the rocky landscape and flows into these sacred waterholes, evoking the life-giving power of water in the desert.

Recently, Julie, the eldest daughter of Dorothy Napangardi Robinson, changed the spelling of her surname to Robertson, believing her father, Windy, had originally misspelt it. This adjustment aligns her name with her relatives in Yuendumu and honours her family’s heritage. Windy had two wives, Rene and Dorothy Robinson, further connecting Julie’s lineage to a broader cultural and familial legacy.

Julie Nangala Robertson’s work is celebrated for its intricate storytelling and dedication to preserving her Warlpiri heritage through art. Ngapa Jukurrpa stands as an elegant tribute to her ancestral country and the enduring significance of Water Dreaming.