Untitled

Gertie Huddleston

c. 1920's

2013

Mara and Warndarang

Roper River, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory

Ochre on Arches Paper

Gertie Huddleston was born circa the 1920's at the Roper River Mission, now the Ngukurr community, an Anglican mission in Southern Arnhem Land. Growing up, Gertie and her sisters were immersed in the mission life, attending the mission school where they learned various skills such as embroidery, sewing, and gardening. Her Warndarrang and Mara heritage from her father and Ngandi and Yugul heritage from her mother deeply influenced her upbringing. This diverse cultural background, combined with the Christian beliefs imparted by her parents and the missionaries, significantly shaped her artistic expression and faith.

Gertie began her artistic journey on canvas in 1992 and quickly gained recognition for her work. She exhibited extensively across Australia and internationally, with notable solo exhibitions in Darwin, Canberra, Melbourne and London at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery in 1995. Her artwork is distinguished by a highly individual and contemporary style, portraying a wide array of subjects including bush berries, seeds and scenes from her traditional site of Ngukurr and the Roper River. Her style, while unique, shares a vibrant use of colors akin to the desert artists, though her compositions remain distinctly her own.

A significant part of Gertie's work reflects her childhood experiences and the knowledge she gained from working on the mission gardens. She often spoke fondly of her time spent in the gardens with her family, and these themes are recurrent in her paintings. Her depictions frequently centre on the natural landscape, presenting scenes of abundance and interaction with nature.

Huddleston's paintings are intricate, narrative maps that vividly illustrate different landscapes, seasons and traditional stories. They feature detailed representations of rocks, hills and local flora and fauna, often layered to create a bustling, vibrant depiction of her homeland. Huddleston's work seamlessly blends the influences of her childhood, the teachings of the missionaries and her Aboriginal heritage, resulting in rich, multifaceted artwork that celebrates her cultural roots and personal experiences.