Emily Kame Kngwarreye Indigenous Australian (Anmatyerr), 1910-1996

This painting radiates a direct simplicity. With the use of just reds and white over a black background, Emily creates intense layered contrasts, with broad strokes, as if covering it up and starting anew. Resemblances to the great Western artists such as Jackson Pollock, Rothko and De Kooning immediately come to mind, but one astounding fact is that Western art arrived to these abstract shores through centuries of art evolution, while Emily’s visuals stem from ancient and internal rituals, untouched from Western influences — a deeply rooted tradition, which would have been painted centuries ago, had canvases been available.

These works stand as a final statement, but not one of finality. Instead, The Last Series offers a glimpse of a new visual language just beginning to emerge, an unfinished chapter in the story of an extraordinary artist.

Please note that all First Nations Art is created from a so called ‘Birds Eye’ view. This means that the paintings can be hung either horizontally as well as vertically.