EMILY IN SYDNEY

The very first time a painting by Emily Kame Kngwarreye was exhibited was at the S. H. Ervin Gallery in 1989—now with Emily in Sydney, her work returns to where it gained prominence. In the seven years that followed, the Anmatyerr law woman’s art exploded in popularity, becoming a defining force in contemporary Aboriginal art celebrated all over the world.  

Already in her 70s when she began painting on canvas for public display, she produced an estimated 3000 works in eight years before passing away in 1996. Often compared to the likes of Monet, Pollock, and Rothko, Kngwarreye’s monumental art attracted international collectors and record sales.  

Paintings for this exhibition will be drawn from mainly private collections in Sydney, paintings held and loved by long term collectors.  Some are already famous but others have rarely, if ever, been seen in public. From the Simpson Desert to the TATE Modern and Venice Biennale, Emily changed the art world. This is your chance to see why.