Deutscher and Hackett

Commissioned by Delmore Gallery, via Alice Springs, Northern Territory in April 1990 
Private collection, Melbourne

This painting is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Delmore Gallery that states: ‘“Alhalkere Country 1990” by Emily Kame Kngwarreye, draws attention to the figurative outline of an unidentified plant underlying the loose nature of dotted workings, both characteristics that we recognise in Kngwarreye’s early works. This is an exploratory work created in those early vigorous days of painting with acrylic paint - extending and giving life to her creative path as an active artist. “Alhalkere Country 1990” aligns with her batik background when working with the fluid hot wax and coloured dyes allowed the emergence of her individual and distinctive loose-handed abstract style. The colour and workings of the dots in this work show that Emily was working with two brushes, where the smaller one was obviously passed its used-by date with its wooden head impacting on the canvas leaving a hollowed-out centre. The murky red ochre dots on charcoal background, the watery creamy white dots, and the light green suggest that plants and their fruit and seed were dried and sparse – in a state of country courting drought. This canvas appeared in September, three months before summer rains could be expected, and at a time of being alert to sense and see indicators of likely rain. With rain, the ceremonies would gather people together in hope of “singing up” a good season – a time to “look after” their country. Significant early works by Emily Kame Kngwarreye have been acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria and collected by other notable institutions and major collectors across the world.’