YAM INCREASE CENTRE, 1992
Emily Kame Kngwarreye
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
121.0 x 151.0 cm
inscribed with artist's name and Delmore Gallery
catalogue number verso: 92J018 Emily Kngwarreye/ Commissioned by/ Delmore
inscribed with title and dated on label attached verso: Yam Increase Centre/ October 1992
accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Delmore Gallery, Northern Territory
Commissioned by Delmore Gallery, Northern Territory
William Mora Galleries, Melbourne
Applied Chemicals Collection, Melbourne
Of My Country: Emily Kame Kngwarreye, The Applied Chemicals Collection, Bendigo Art Gallery, 1 - 30 May 1999, and touring various venues throughout Victoria and New South Wales, June 1999 - April 2000
Emily's reaction to the desert's fertile energy that launches such amazing growth after rain, has inspired a fabulous use of the yellows, deep pink, and gatherings of murky-coloured dots. Heat ripens the fruits, and brings the flowers and grass seadheads to full maturity. Gradually the bloom wanes, everything dries off, and the seeds disperse. In ceremony, these life cycles are celebrated and spiritually nurtured. In everyday life, Emily also nurtures the social lives of her family, hopefully ensuring that they too will survive the erratic nature of the desert's seasons.
The composition of this canvas shows parallel lines centring at the Anooralya yam increase centre, with the underground growth pattern of the yam overlaying this. Layered above this are scattered seeds, leaves and dried fruits of other bush tucker species. The effect of the lines under the surface, links with lines applied as body paint in ceremony.
JANET HOLT
Delmore Downs, Northern Territory