LINES I AND II, 1994

Important Aboriginal + Oceanic Art
Melbourne
27 March 2013
15

EMILY KAME KNGWARREYE

(c.1910 - 1996)
LINES I AND II, 1994

synthetic polymer paint on canvas

two panels: 119.0 x 59.5 cm each

each signed verso: Emily
each inscribed verso: artist's name and Delmore Gallery cat. 94H027 and 94H028

Estimate: 
$35,000 - 55,000 (2)
Sold for $55,200 (inc. BP) in Auction 28 - 27 March 2013, Melbourne
Provenance

Private Collection, Donald Holt, Delmore Downs Station, Alice Springs

Literature

Isaacs, J., Smith, T., Ryan, J., Holt, D., and Holt, J., Emily Kame Kngwarreye Paintings, Craftsman House, Sydney, 1998, pp. 130–131, pl. 55–56 (illus.)

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Delmore Gallery

Catalogue text

This exquisite pair vibrates with colour and vivacity, evoking the atmosphere of ceremony, particularly with the use of red, a fundamental colour of body paint designs for the men who dance the Emu story. Within the deliberate process of applying bodypaint as part of ceremony, there is a clear understanding of which celebrant paints other celebrants, based on clan grouping and seniority. Whilst the body paint is applied, the chanting of the song line of the Emu story projects through the atmosphere in one long continuous vocal line. Within each carefully placed stroke is a linear abstraction of the basic elements of what the experience of ceremony is like for its participants.

ANNABEL HOLT AND JANET HOLT