In February 2023, Desmond invited Timothy to paint an exhibition with him. Desmond and Timothy’s artistic collaboration takes inspiration from the landscape of Desmond’s homeland in Karlamilyi National Park and nearby places such as Bidyadanga. Together, they have painted the places where their stories meet. Desmond’s place of the desert, rivers and ocean that speak and sing the songs of his ancestors.  Timothy has been inspired by Desmond’s homeland, drawing on his skill as an aerial ocean Artist. 

Martu Aboriginal people have inhabited Karlamilyi for thousands of years. They have a deep connection to this country. There are two communities in the park – the Punmu and the Parnngurr. 

‘Each painting celebrates the rich and deep connection to these places and the stories that we share.’

– Desmond Taylor & Timothy Johnston

This group of works was completed by Desmond in 2006 and was inspired by his family’s journey from the desert Country around Karlamilyi (Rudall River), especially the Nyayartakujarra (Ngayarta Kujarra, Lake Dora) Dreaming. Karlamilyi is between the Great Sandy Desert and the Little Sandy Desert, in which Desmond has painted the pathways and songlines to guide crossings over the sand dunes through the desert.

‘I just paint what I see and think of the ancestors that walked this desert before us and want to  continue passing on Dreamtime stories through my paintings.’

– Desmond Taylor

Desmond’s people have been on a nomadic journey for thousands of years, moving from one place to another in search of food, water, and performing ceremonies. These artworks, created by Desmond in 2006, depict the significance of these journeys and how they have helped to strengthen their culture.

‘We see the tracks that have been created that our ancestors walked to different places in the Kimberly and the Pilbara region.’

– Desmond Taylor

Desmond Taylor created a captivating series of artworks in 2006 depicting the rivers that traverse through Karlamilyi, his ancestral land. These rivers flow inland to Lake Dora and continue westward to the ocean. The Oakover River, in particular, flows towards the western coast, carving a path of magnificent natural beauty through the rugged terrain of Karlamilyi. Each painting in the series captures the unique character and essence of these waterways, reflecting the deep connection that Desmond has with his homeland.

‘Life is in and around these rivers for my people, and have supplied them for many generations. I feel good when I see the water running and the different life that is attracted to it. The kangaroos, emu, goanna, turkey and even people.’

– Desmond Taylor

Timothy Johnston, an eclectic artist, splits his time between Los Angeles and Sydney, fully embracing large-scale artistic expressions. He enjoys the freedom to explore both structured and impromptu paths in his art, utilising a range of mediums such as acrylics, oils, and inks. His technique involves creating complex, captivating works that draw viewers into a world of intricate colour patterns and designs. His distinctive style layers various techniques in his paintings, infusing them with a dynamic energy and vibrancy typical of abstract art.

In 2017, Tim’s career took a significant leap when he was named a finalist in the Macquarie Group Emerging Artist Prize, leading to his professional debut in 2018. By 2020, he founded his Art Gallery Studio in Mosman, Sydney. The coastal environment of Mosman, with its 19 Sydney Estuary Bays, profoundly influences his art, inspiring numerous aerial ocean abstracts. His connection to the sea was celebrated in 2021 with his ‘Kingdom of Coral’ installation at the Sydney Opera House for World Ocean Day. Tim’s recent focus has been on the ocean and coastal themes, emphasising the urgent need to protect these environments. This led to the founding of CollaborOCEANS, a collective of creatives dedicated to ocean conservation and the protection of marine life and reefs.

“Tim your work is good and is quite consistent in its realisation. Your paintings have that special element of capturing energy that intrinsically makes you an artist.” Acclaimed

– Abstractionist Painter Michael Johnson

“The natural world’s rhythms, particularly the Great Barrier Reef’s majesty, inspire my paintings. Growing up nearby, I’ve always felt connected to its vast blue expanse and striking corals, which I’ve endeavoured to capture in this artwork.”

– Timothy Johnston