Emily Kam Kngwarray, Anmatyerr people, Untitled (awely), 1994, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2022 with the assistance of the Foundation Gala Funds 2021 and 2022, in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022 © Emily Kam Kngwarray/Copyright Agency.
Generously supported by First Nations Arts Partner Wesfarmers Arts, the National Gallery Touring Exhibition will take Emily Kam Kngwarray’s (c.1910–1996) works from the national collection to five galleries across the country – offering Australians an unprecedented opportunity to experience the power, innovation and enduring legacy of her art.
Beginning at Araluen Arts Centre in Mparntwe/Alice Springs on 9 April 2027, the exhibition will return Anmatyerr artist Kngwarray's work to the Central Desert, close to her home Country in Urapuntja/Utopia, before touring nationally. The exhibition will then travel to Cairns Art Gallery, Qld; Art Gallery of Western Australia, WA; Newcastle Art Gallery, NSW and Burnie Arts Centre, Tas.
Widely regarded as one of the most significant artists of the 20th century, Kngwarray transformed contemporary art through her bold visual language, profound connection to Country and unparalleled creative vision. Created later in her life, her paintings and batiks continue to captivate audiences around the world and have reshaped global understandings of First Nations art from Australia.
In collaboration with the Utopia Community, Emily Kam Kngwarray will bring together works from the national collection, alongside the exhibiting venues’ own collections of Kngwarray’s work.
Through expansive canvases, intimate paintings and batiks, visitors will encounter the artist’s profound understanding of her Country, Alhalker, and the Ancestral stories that informed her practice.
The national tour builds on growing international recognition of Kngwarray's work, following the National Gallery's landmark 2023 retrospective and major exhibitions in Europe. A retrospective of more than 80 works is currently on display at Fondation Opale in Switzerland, following Tate Modern's significant exhibition in 2025.
Presented in partnership with the National Gallery, both international exhibitions were developed from the 2023 exhibition curated by Kelli Cole, Warumungu and Luritja peoples, and Hetti Perkins, Arrernte and Kalkadoon peoples. The Tate Modern and Fondation Opale presentations were co-curated by Cole.
Tina Baum, Gulumirrgin (Larrakia)/Wardaman/Karajarri peoples, Head Curator, First Nations Art, National Gallery:
‘Emily Kam Kngwarray's art is a powerful expression of culture, knowledge and Country with her work reflecting the depth of Anmatyerr knowledge that shaped her life and practice. The five-venue tour is an opportunity for communities across Australia to experience Kngwarray’s artistic practice and learn about her
enduring impact on Australian and international art. Beginning this tour in the Central Desert, close to Kngwarray's home Country, is especially meaningful and we are proud to continue working with the artist’s family and Community to share her art and story.’
Since 1988, 155 National Gallery Touring Exhibitions have reached over 12.5 million people, with audiences around the country and overseas experiencing over 10,000 works from the national collection at more than 1900 venues. The national tour of Emily Kam Kngwarray is made possible due to the generous support of the National Gallery of Australia’s First Nation Arts Partner, Wesfarmers Arts. For over a decade, Wesfarmers Arts has taken a leading role in supporting the National Gallery to celebrate, share and elevate First Peoples’ art and culture.
Dr Nick Mitzevich, Director, National Gallery:
‘Emily Kam Kngwarray is one of the most influential artists in Australian history. Through the generous support of Wesfarmers Arts, the national tour represents a significant shared commitment to increasing access to Australia’s cultural heritage and ensuring audiences across the country can engage with one of the defining artistic voices of our time.
By allowing more Australians to experience the scale, energy and brilliance of Kngwarray’s work, we celebrate the enduring strength of First Nations knowledge, culture and connection to Country.’
Rob Scott, Managing Director, Wesfarmers:
‘Emily Kam Kngwarray’s exceptional body of work is a deep reservoir of insights and discoveries, and a precious gift to our country. Wesfarmers is proud to partner with the National Gallery to support the tour of Emily Kam Kngwarray and celebrate one of our nation’s most important cultural figures as we share her remarkable legacy with audiences across Australia.’
Northern Territory Minister for Arts Jinson Charls:
‘It is fitting that this nationally significant exhibition will begin its Australian tour at the Araluen Arts Centre in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, close to Emily Kam Kngwarray’s home Country. The Northern Territory is at the heart of Australia’s First Nations art and culture, and we are proud that Araluen will be the first venue to present this extraordinary exhibition to Australian audiences.
Hosting an exhibition of this calibre demonstrates Central Australia’s strength as a cultural destination and Araluen’s important role in bringing nationally significant art to Territorians and visitors from across the
country.’
The National Gallery of Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians of the Anmatyerr lands and the Community of Utopia, whose knowledge and cultural authority underpin this exhibition, and all traditional custodians whose lands this exhibition travels to.
ABOUT EMILY KAM KNGWARRAY
Emily Kam Kngwarray was born c 1910 at Alhalker on the lands now known as Urapuntja/Utopia, a homeland shared by five major Ancestral groups. In the early 1920s early pastoralists established holdings at Urapuntja/Utopia, and Kngwarray worked on the cattle stations on her unceded Country. The immediate precedent for Kngwarray’s paintings lies in the practice of batik, an artistic technique that was introduced to the women of Urapuntja/Utopia in 1977.
It was not until over a decade later that Kngwarray found the medium for which she was renowned. Kngwarray began painting when acrylic paint was introduced to the Urapuntja/Utopia artists by Rodney Gooch in 1989. Her first painting, Emu woman 1988–1989, was selected for the cover of The Summer Project catalogue for the exhibition at the S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, in 1989.
ABOUT FIRST NATIONS ARTS PARTNER WESFARMERS ARTS
Wesfarmers Arts has been the National Gallery’s First Nations Arts Partner since 2009. The partnership actively promotes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and artists and inspires audiences through First Nations artistic programming. Wesfarmers’ support includes championing the National Indigenous Art Triennial and other national and international touring exhibitions.
The partnership also works to build capacity within the arts sector by providing professional development and mentorship opportunities for First Nations artists and arts workers. Wesfarmers Arts has supported the National Indigenous Art Triennial since 2009, each time enabling an extensive presentation in Kamberri/Canberra, an ambitious national touring schedule and expansive artist engagement through public programming.
MORE = https://newcastleartgallery.nsw.gov.au/news/emily-kam-knwarray-exhibition-to-tour-across-australia
https://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/utopia/emily-kame-kngwarreye
https://smarthistory.org/emily-kame-kngwarreye-earths-creation/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Kame_Kngwarreye
https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/artists/kngwarreye-emily-kame/
We have the largest collection of her work - the best of her work - for sale. ASK - most are not within this website as most are valued above $AUD500k.