Awelye 1990

Emily Kame Kngwarreye made this painting, Awelye, through an accumulation of marks, almost a tapestry of tiny dots that create this shimmering surface. It’s as if the painting grew organically, each mark a small decision contributing to a larger whole. The texture and color are so alive; it’s not just paint on a surface but an ecosystem. The pinks and blues interact, they push and pull against each other, creating a sense of depth and movement that's almost dizzying. Notice how the circular forms, like echoes or bubbles, overlap and intersect, it makes you feel like you're diving into the painting, or that the painting is coming towards you. The way the color seeps and bleeds reminds me of Helen Frankenthaler, but with a groundedness that is uniquely Emily's. Ultimately, this piece reminds us that art is a journey, not a destination. It's about the doing, the making, and the endless possibilities that emerge when we let go and trust the process.