Emily Kame Kngwarreye (c.1910–1996) is widely regarded as one of the most important Australian artists of the 20th century. A senior Anmatyerre woman from Alhalkere in the Utopia region, her career as a painter began in her late seventies yet produced an extraordinary output of over 3,000 works in just eight years. Her paintings are deeply rooted in cultural knowledge and custodianship of Country, translating Awelye (women’s ceremony) and yam Dreamings into a striking and distinctive visual language. Her work’s evolution from intricate dotting to bold, expressive abstraction mirrored her confidence in pushing boundaries and defying categorisation. As the first Aboriginal woman to gain major recognition in the contemporary art world, Emily shifted perceptions of Indigenous art and paved the way for future generations. Today, her paintings are held in leading institutions and sought after by collectors globally, valued not only for their aesthetic power but for their deep cultural significance and lasting influence.