UNTITLED, 1990

Important Aboriginal + Oceanic Art
Melbourne
18 May 2011
26

EMILY KAME KNGWARREYE

(c.1910 - 1996)
UNTITLED, 1990

synthetic polymer paint on linen

213.0 x 122.0 cm

inscribed verso: artist's name and Delmore Gallery cat. OK05

Estimate: 
$120,000 - $160,000
Sold for $98,400 (inc. BP) in Auction 20 - 18 May 2011, Melbourne
Provenance

Delmore Gallery, Alice Springs
Robin Purvis, Eastern Desert Art, Brisbane, 1990
Private collection, Queensland

Exhibited

Emily Kngwarreye, Eastern Desert Art, Brisbane, 6 - 21 October 1990

Catalogue text

Emily Kngwarreye's Untitled, 1990, is one of the significant early paintings that heralded her true beginning as an extraordinary colourist. Emily expanded into a more expressive and experimental palette, which led to the production of works that reflected her brilliant and definitive view of the ripe and raw food sources of her arid country.

In Untitled we renew our perspective and add a dimension to our understanding of Emily's reflective mind whilst in her creative mode. As the viewer, we are drawn into her beautifully worked surface, taking a vertical plunge through the multiple layers of story and meaning.

The narrative of this work relates to the male Emu, shepherding his chicks not long after their hatching, whilst they are dependent on him for their sustenance. This paternal passage is guided by where food can be found for them, and by preferred choice, is often dictated by the spread, or growth pattern, of the yam vine and the nutritious seed of its flower.

JANET HOLT