Nellie Gordon was born c 1934 on the banks of Sturt Creek on the Northern edge of the Great Sandy Desert, Nellie Gordon spent her childhood in Guru country south of Halls Creek. Much of her working life was spent working as a station cook and housekeeper on pastoral stations in the East Kimberley. In the mid 70’s the introduction of the equal rights bill for the Aboriginal workforce meant that many employees were forced off stations into town settlements such as Halls Creek. Nellie lived here for some time before moving to the Kununurra area with her husband George Wallaby, where they both began to paint full time.

During her earlier years Nellie lived a traditional life and practised ceremony regularly. Even during her years as a station employee, there was opportunity to practice Law and ceremony during the ‘lay off’ or wet season and in later years, Nellie took every opportunity to attend cultural ceremonies organised by various Indigenous groups across the Kimberley.

This work shows Lirrejapal (Frog) Dreaming. When the water recedes and the ground begins to harden and crack Lirrejapal goes underground and can hibernate for many years or until the next flood comes.