Utopia Region, Northern Territory, Australia

Emily Kame Kngwarreye was born around 1910. Her country is Alhalkere and her language is Anmatyerre. She became an Eastern Anmatyerre speaker and was a leader in the women's ceremonial business.

From 1977, Emily made batik, which was exhibited both in Australia and overseas. Her first canvas painted in her seventies, for an exhibition called "A Summer Project 1988 -1989" received widespread acclaim and recognition.

Emily’s main titles are Flower Dreaming (and Wildflower Dreaming), Yam Dreaming, Body Paint, My Country, Earth Creation and Final Series and her technique was highly individual characterised by drawings covered by layers of dots of various sizes and styles and later by bold linear marks.

Emily's first solo exhibition was in 1990 and from 1990 to 1993 her paintings were shown in forty eight group exhibitions and several solo shows. In 1992 she was awarded the Australian Artists Creative Fellowship by the Australian Government.

Large collections of Emily’s paintings have been acquired for permanent display in public galleries and are now included in numerous private and public art collections in Australia and around the world.

Emily Kame Kngwarreye died in Alice Springs on 2nd September 1996. She has left behind a legacy that is a valuable contribution to the art world.