Water Dreaming by Julie Nangala Robertson 40x51cm

"Pirlinyanu Site - Water Dreaming" (2009) by Julie Nangala Robertson showcases her remarkable talent, earning her the Best Painting Category at the 2023 Telstra Aboriginal Art Award. This artwork illustrates her Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming), connected to her father’s traditional country of Pirlinyanu, a rocky outcrop in the Tanami Desert, west of Yuendumu and near the WA border.

Pirlinyanu is a significant site for the Water Dreaming due to its vital waterholes and abundant bush tucker. The deep, naturally occurring wells in this rocky landscape provide essential fresh water, crucial for survival. Traditional knowledge passed down through generations teaches which rocks to move to access these hidden water sources, highlighting the cultural importance of this site.

Julie’s paintings, celebrated for their extraordinary optical brilliance, use an aerial perspective and a distinctive monochromatic palette. She alternates dot sizes and builds specific shapes or reference points through repeated overdotting, creating intricate and visually striking works.