Pirlinyanu 2002 by Julie Nangala Robertson, 41x41cm

Pirlinyanu (2002) by Julie Nangala Robertson, 41 x 41 cm

Pirlinyanu (2002) is part of a series of early works created by Julie Nangala Robertson when she began painting alongside her mother, the esteemed Dorothy Napangardi, in her studio. This period marked the beginning of Julie’s artistic journey, refining her distinctive style while honouring the sacred narratives of her ancestral land.

The finely dotted and vividly colourful background symbolizes the landscape after a nourishing rainfall, when the desert transforms into an abundant and thriving environment. The painting reflects Julie’s deep connection to the Water Dreaming, a sacred story associated with her custodial site, Pirlinyanu—a rocky outcrop with deep wells that serve as vital water sources. In the Warlpiri language, pirli means "stone," emphasizing the significance of this site, which lies west of Nyrripi in the Central Desert of Australia.

This important Dreaming is passed down through generations and is particularly significant to those with the skin names Nangala or Nampijinpa for women, and Jangala or Jampijinpa for men. It embodies the cultural responsibility of maintaining knowledge of water sources crucial for survival in the arid landscape.

Julie, the eldest of five daughters of Dorothy Napangardi, recently adjusted the spelling of her surname to Robertson, aligning it 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.

Pirlinyanu (2002) stands as an early testament to Julie Nangala Robertson’s artistic evolution and her dedication to preserving and sharing the stories of her heritage through contemporary Aboriginal art.