Emily Kam Kngwarray

Margaret Kngwarray Long (Anmatyerr people):

Emily Kam she is know for Country, she was showing body paint [for] ladies. She's important for everything. She know man side and the ladies side. She know it. That's why she was learn us, all these grandkids. After that, emu and Alhalker, yam, pencil yam. That's why we know everything same as her. That's her culture she was showing us.

Kelli Cole (Curator):

From 1977 to her passing in 1996, Kngwarray created thousands of artworks that drew from the vast cultural reservoir of knowledge that she channeled as the Anmatyerr matriarch of Alhalker country.

In March 2023, Kngwarray’s female family members camped at Alhalker to dance and sing the awely for their country. Early in the camp, the women asked to listen to the forty-year-old archival recording of Kngwarray singing the Alhalker song. Between song verses Kngwarray talked about Alhalker country and the age of these cultural practices, which were echoed and affirmed by those gathered. ‘This how the olden time people sang and danced,’ Kngwarray said, before taking up the song again. Her countrywomen danced and sang a memorial to the celebrated family member.

The final word on this great artist must be given to her descendants, the contemporary custodians of Alhalker who follow in her footsteps. They simply describe her art as arraty ilem - telling the truth.