Pirlinyanu 2011 by Julie Nangala Robertson 46x46cm

"Pirlinyanu Site - Water Dreaming" (2011) by Julie Nangala Robertson is a captivating work that showcases her exceptional talent, earning her the 2023 Telstra Aboriginal Art Award in the Best Painting category. Julie’s paintings vividly depict the Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming), which is intricately linked to her father’s traditional country of Pirlinyanu, a rocky outcrop in the Tanami Desert, west of Yuendumu and near the Western Australia border.

Pirlinyanu is renowned for its significant waterholes and abundant bush tucker. These deep, naturally occurring wells provide vital fresh water, crucial for survival in the desert landscape. Traditional knowledge, passed down through generations, guides the understanding of which rocks to move to access these water sources, emphasizing the cultural importance of this site.

Julie employs an aerial perspective in her artwork, combined with a distinctive monochromatic palette. Her technique of alternating dot sizes and creating specific shapes through repeated overdotting results in extraordinary optical brilliance. This meticulous approach forms intricate patterns and reference points, making her paintings visually striking and deeply meaningful.