Utopia: The Genius of Emily Kame Kngwarreye told the story of Emily, one of Australia’s greatest contemporary artists. The exhibition also gave insight into her life as a senior Anmatyerre woman and a lifelong custodian of the desert country that inspired her work.
It charted the evolution of a short but intensely creative career – from Emily’s first canvas painted in 1988 until her death in late 1996.
Utopia: The Genius of Emily Kame Kngwarreye was on show at the National Museum of Australia in 2008 and toured nationally as well as in Japan.
This was first time an exhibition of this scale and significance had been brought together on Emily’s work. It showcased 120 works drawn from some 60 private, public and corporate collections around the world. An Indigenous reference group, including community members and supporters, was integral to the success of the project.
- Last updated: 28 September 2008
- 13 programs
Learn about Emily Kame Kngwarreye, one of Australia’s most significant contemporary artists.
Discover Emily’s country, located approximately 230 kilometres north-east of Alice Springs.
Explore the exhibition in Japan – the largest collection of works by a single Australian artist to travel outside Australia.
Go behind the scenes to learn about the creation of one of Emily’s biggest canvases, and how it was transported.
Explore books, articles, catalogues and more, related to the exhibition.
Utopia: The Genius of Emily Kame Kngwarreye was sponsored by Yomiuri Shimbun, Woodside Energy Ltd and produced with the assistance of Asialink, the Australia-Japan Foundation and the Australian Government through the Australia International Cultural Council, an initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.