News
NOW OPEN | EMILY KAM KNGWARRAY TATE MODERN, LONDON
A major retrospective exhibition celebrating the monumental art of trailblazing First Nations artist Emily Kam Kngwarray is currently presented at the prestigious Tate Modern in London, curated by Kelli Cole (Warumunga and Luritja peoples, Director of Curatorial & Engagement, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery of Australia).
The significant exhibition includes paintings, textiles and works on paper, honouring the timeless art of an artist who emerged as one of Australia’s (and the world’s) most important contemporary painters of the twentieth century. The exhibition is accompanied by a comprehensive publication featuring original research and reflections from the artist’s community, curators and academics.
EMILY KAM KNGWARRAY | A PERSONAL NOTE FROM DIRECTOR BEVERLY KNIGHT
In September 1989, my very first exhibition at Alcaston Gallery showcased the artists from the Utopia region of the Northern Territory; in particular, new work by the exciting emerging artist Emily Kam Kngwarray.
My strong relationship with CAAMA (Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association) was the catalyst for me opening my gallery at Alcaston House, 2 Collins Street Melbourne in the 1980s. CAAMA Shop in Alice Springs and the late Rodney Gooch supported the artists from Utopia (including Emily Kam Kngwarray) to paint.
Now looking back nearly 40 years later, their mentorship, their creative First Nations trailblazers from Alice Springs and the Central Australia region connected to this innovative Aboriginal organisation is, in part, on the world stage at Tate Modern in London.
The families and extended families of the exhibition curator Kelli Cole, as well as co-filmmaker of I Am Kam Danielle McLean, were all part of this incredible explosion of talent, under the direction of Freda Glynn AM at CAAMA and matriarch of filmmaking families and extended families Thornton and Glynn.
Dr Jennifer Green, co-editor of the Emily Kam Kngwarray exhibition publication was integral to the exhibition: her relationship with Emily Kam Kngwarray and her Anmatyerr family (then and now) makes this exhibition, and tribute to the late artist and her legacy, very special.
With tremendous pride, I recommend you look, read and celebrate those creative beings whose history of survival, leadership, culture and Country is now on the world stage.
- Beverly Knight, Director, Alcaston Gallery 2025
WATCH NOW | EMILY: I AM KAM, NOW STREAMING ON SBS ON DEMAND
A powerful new documentary, Emily: I Am Kam is now available to view on SBS On Demand, delving into the life and art artist Emily Kam Kngwarray from the Utopia community in the Northern Territory, whose work reshaped the international contemporary art world.
NOW OPEN | BETTY KUNTIWA PUMANI: MAḺATJA-MAḺATJA (THOSE WHO COME AFTER), BUNDANON ART MUSEUM
Betty Kuntiwa Pumani presents her first major museum survey, maḻatja-maḻatja (those who come after), at Bundanon Art Museum until 5 October 2025. Curated by Bundanon CEO Rachel Kent in collaboration with Pumani and Mimili Maku Arts, this outstanding exhibition will include a specially commissioned large-scale painting as well as major loans from public and private galleries, including the National Gallery of Australia. These works will be shown alongside early works, drawn from Mimili Maku Arts Cultural Collection, shown here for the first time.
NOW OPEN | OUR STORIES: CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS WEAVING CAIRNS ART GALLERY
Our Stories: Contemporary Indigenous Weaving is now open, featuring Alcaston Gallery represented artist Shirley Macnamara. Presented from 28 June- 14 September 2025, this exhibition explores the styles, purposes and materiality of the woven form and how it is influenced by the locality, the land and Country of its creators.
