dijan mela kantri
this is Our country
jill daniels, karen rogers, marlene andrews & luke djalgarrarra

12–29 November 2026

In Dijan Mela Kantri, the artists of Ngukurr bring to life stories of their home in bold colour.

For Jill Daniels, Ngukurr and its surrounds provide the backdrop for her Kauboi and Kaugel (cowboy and cowgirl) stories. Through her paintings, we journey alongside them across vibrant landscapes to muster cattle, visit the rodeo and finally rest beneath the stars.

In her paintings, Karen Rogers shares memories of camping and travelling with family in the troopy to the billabong. Told in her distinctive graphic style, these stories of happy times unfold in her language of Kriol, with Karen’s own voice narrating the scenes and allowing us to connect more deeply with them.

Marlene Andrews’ tender paintings read like postcards from the region, showing the people, birds and flora through a sentimental lens. Similarly, Luke Djalgarrarra’s sculptures of birds from the region bring out their best features. Their patterned bodies are painted in a kaleidoscope of delicate linework and floral patterns that showcase the colours found along the banks of the Roper River.

Telling stories old and new, these works reflect each artist’s deep connection with their home and their desire to share what they love about it with us–a declaration as much as it is an invitation.