A Ngukurr Arts Exhibition by Andrew Robertson on the Lambert Gallery Feature Wall

This featured mini-exhibition is part of Burdiwan Kantri (Colourful Country) from Ngukurr Arts. Andrew Robertson is an Alawa man born in 1951 in Ngukurr, the eldest grandson to artist Una Joshua. As a descendant of the famous “Joshua Sisters” (celebrated Territory artists Dinah Garadji, Angelina George, Gertie Huddleston, Betty Roberts and Eva Rogers), he continues in a rich tradition of painting in Ngukurr and Roper River Country. In partnership with Ngukurr Arts, Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre presents Andrew Robertson’s new works as part of this mini-exhibition—a feature wall as part of Burdiwan Kantri (Colourful Country).  

As a young man, Robertson travelled around and lived in various places before settling down in Ngukurr in 1975. He remains there, now based as an artist and creative part of Ngukurr Arts. Robertson originally trained to be an Anglican minister and on the weekends and school holidays he would often take his wife, five daughters, and son out to an outstation called Bullock Hole. To him and his family, it was truly special country—and features in many of the paintings you see here in our gallery and this feature wall. 

“Fire is coming to that billabong. All the birds gather in there to escape the fire. There is a fence lining the landscape to keep the buffalos out.”

At Bullock Hole, he would hunt bush turkey, kangaroo, and goanna to feed his family. These  experiences became powerful influences and have informed his work as a painter. Because of illness, Robertson can no longer travel there or hunt in the way that he once had. But through his art—and the pictures featured at Godinymayin as part of this special mini-exhibition—Robertson can bring back memories of that time. And, he has found a way to share that part of his Country with others.