Rockhole Dreaming by Julie Nangala Robertson 152x91cm

"Rockhole Dreaming at Pirlinyanu, 2008" by Julie Nangala Robertson is a stunning depiction of her father’s traditional country, Pirlinyanu, a rocky outcrop in the Tanami Desert, west of Yuendumu. This area is significant for its waterholes and abundant bush tucker, making it a key location for the Water Dreaming (Ngapa Jukurrpa).

Ownership of this country is passed down patrilineally (from father to child), and ritual knowledge is transmitted from aunt to niece (father’s sisters, Nampitjinpa and Nangala). Julie Nangala Robertson, winner of the 2023 Telstra Aboriginal Art Award in the Best Painting Category, masterfully captures this heritage in her work.

Using an aerial perspective and a distinctive monochromatic palette, Julie’s paintings achieve extraordinary optical brilliance. She skilfully uses dots to build specific shapes, reference points, and pathways, creating a dynamic and intricate depiction of the landscape.