Artitja Fine Art Gallery has announced it is honoured to present My Country Stays in My Dreams, an exhibition of works by the late East Kimberley Jaru artist Janet Dreamer (1959–2021).

Running from 26 August to 7 September in South Fremantle, the exhibition opens officially on Friday 29 August, 6–8pm, with an 'In Conversation' event on Saturday 30 August, 2–3pm which will illuminate the artist's extraordinary practice.

Janet Dreamer's paintings are joyous, enigmatic, and instantly recognisable. Known affectionately as Dreamer, she grew up at Old Flora Valley near Halls Creek, learning traditional ways from her Elders.

Beginning her artistic career in 2013 at Yarliyil Arts, Dreamer developed a style that fused figuration and abstraction: first setting down her subject — often animals, birds, or water life — then veiling it in sweeping colour and rhythmic patterns. The result is a powerful body of work, alive with energy and cultural resonance.

"My country stays in my dreams," she said. "I dream about my home, and I don't forget about my country."

In 2024, Yarliyil Arts appointed the Victorian gallery Everywhen Art to represent the artist's estate and present a national exhibition program to accord her work the attention it deserves.

The first exhibition, The Paradisical World of Janet Dreamer, was held in early 2025 by Everwhen Art; in Victoria; this second titled My Country Stays in My Dreams brings her remarkable work to Perth audiences.

Long time Kimberley art centre manager Kevin Kelly who, in the formative years of East Kimberley ochre painting, worked with famed artists such as the late Rover Thomas, Queenie McKenzie and others, was manager of Yarlyili Arts 2017-2021.

Kelly worked with Dreamer from 2017 until her passing. He described her style as "compelling and utterly original, unlike any other artist I'd ever seen".

He also noted its profound cultural significance in depicting now rare wildlife, ancestral figures and ceremonial iconography.

On Saturday August 30, Kelly will elaborate further on Dreamer's life, her creative process and the cultural meanings embedded in her art in an informative in conversation with curator Susan McCulloch, director of Everywhen Art, and Anna Kanaris, director of Artitja Fine Art Gallery.

Artitja Director Anna Kanaris said it is "both a privilege and a responsibility to present Dreamer's art".

"The In Conversation event is especially important; it will help audiences see beyond the surface beauty of the paintings and understand the stories and knowledge that shape them," he said.

My Country Stays in My Dreams | JANET DREAMER is free to the public.

Exhibiting at EARLYWORK – 330 South Terrace, South Fremantle – open daily 10am – 4pm. Opening event August 29, 6-8pm.

Exhibition dates: August 26 – Sept 7.

Exhibition talk: August 30, 2-3pm.