Glen Helen Gorge from the South Looking North 1955

Albert Namatjira made this watercolor painting of Glen Helen Gorge, looking north from the south, sometime in the mid-20th century. The way he renders those rocky outcrops – so layered and textured – speaks to an understanding of artmaking as a real, physical process, not just about representing a scene. Looking at the work, you can almost feel the grain of the paper, the way the pigment soaks in, and the deliberate layering of washes to build up those rich, earthy tones. See how he captures the light on the rocks, with those subtle gradations of color, that speaks to Namatjira’s sensitivity to the Australian landscape. Notice that pool of water in the foreground, reflecting the sky – the loose, fluid brushstrokes capture the transient nature of light and reflection. It's almost abstract, a play of shapes and colors that transcends mere representation. Namatjira's watercolors remind me of the work of John Marin, who shared that love for capturing the energy and vitality of the natural world. Art’s an ongoing conversation, an exchange of ideas across time and space.