Bush Hen Dreaming 2002

Abie Loy Kemarre painted "Bush Hen Dreaming" using a dotting technique, building up the image through layers of tiny marks. I love how this process reveals the artwork bit by bit, mirroring the gradual unfolding of a story. Looking closely, you can see the surface is alive with subtle variations in color and texture. It is not just a flat plane, but a field of energy. The ochre hues create a warm, earthy feeling, like the desert landscape itself. Notice the concentric circles formed of tiny dots: they seem to pulse outwards. It makes me think of the way stories ripple out from a central point. The silver circle in the painting, surrounded by concentric circles is the nest, the origin and the epicentre of the story, all at once. Kemarre’s work reminds me a little of Agnes Martin, in the way she uses repetition and subtle variation to create a meditative space. But while Martin's work is often cool and austere, Kemarre's has a warmth and groundedness that speaks to the deep connection to the land and its stories. Art is about embracing ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations.