Pirlinyanu Dreaming, 2004 by Julie Nangala Robertson 152x76cm Cat 8793JR

Using an aerial perspective and distinctive monochromatic palette, Julie’s paintings have become works of extraordinary optical brilliance. In acknowledgement, she was awarded Best Painting category in the Telstra Aboriginal Art Award in August 2023.

She has used two colours on a black background - the ochre colour with the blue-grey that represents the element of land and water, is added subtle depth to understanding the painting.

The theme is the Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming), which is associated with her father’s traditional country of Pirlinyanu, a rocky outcrop in the Tanami Desert, west of Yuendumu and towards the Western Australia border.

This rocky country with its significant waterholes and plentiful bush tucker is one of many significant locations for the Water Dreaming because if you know which rocks to move you always have access to fresh water in the deep natural occurring wells of Pirlinyanu. Without this knowledge one could imagine there was no water in this desert landscape.

The eldest of the five daughters of Dorothy Napangardi Robinson has recently changed the spelling of her surname to Robertson, feeling that her father, Windy, had misspelt it as Julie's other relatives in Yuendumu are all Robertson. Windy had two wives, Rene Robinson and Dorothy Robinson.