Judy Watson

Australian indigenous art has a broad reputation as being innovative; but few artists are as intriguing as Judy Watson. While her work takes its inspiration from the land and traditions of the Waanyi culture, Watson distils her distinctive stained canvases into poetic abstractions that have the power to speak to all.

Margie West comments: “Even though the messages in her work are often tough, they are conveyed in an almost subliminal and subtle way, to be discovered in the layering of the surface and the imagery that floats mirage-like on it.”

Download the memory scars, dreams and gardens catalogue essay (13 November to 12 December 2020) by Katina Davidson or the roomsheet.

Judy Watson ‘spine with cutting tool’ 2020, indigo, acrylic and graphite on canvas, 231 x 80 cm
Judy Watson ‘memory scar, finger lime, root, casuarina and yeronga studio found object’ 2020, acrylic, graphite and linen thread on canvas, 1. 196.5 x 91 cm, 2. 181 x 83 cm, 3. 196.5 x 91 cm
Judy Watson ‘memory scar, cable tie, nut’ 2020, indigo, acrylic, graphite and linen thread on canvas, 176 x 90 cm
Judy Watson ‘memory scars, dreams and gardens’ exhibition 2020 installation photograph by Andrew Curtis
Judy Watson ‘memory scars, dreams and gardens’ exhibition 2020 installation photograph by Andrew Curtis
Judy Watson ‘memory scars, dreams and gardens’ exhibition 2020 installation photograph by Andrew Curtis
indigo and ochre 2016
Installation view
indigo and ochre 2016
Installation view