Merne Atherrke 1994

Emily Kame Kngwarreye made this painting, Merne Atherrke, using acrylic on canvas. The way she builds up these warm hues, it’s all about the doing, the layering, the intuitive response, right? Up close, you can see how the surface is made from a tapestry of tiny strokes, like a field of wildflowers seen from above. The paint isn't fighting you; it’s not trying to be smooth or perfect. It's got this slightly rough texture, which gives it a beautiful, earthy feel. See how she varies the pressure of her brush? It's almost like she's dancing with the canvas, letting the colors blend and vibrate against each other, especially those fiery oranges and reds. Kngwarreye makes me think of Joan Mitchell. Both artists create these immersive fields of color that feel deeply connected to the natural world, but through totally different cultural lenses. It’s like they’re both tapping into something primal. It's not about answers but more about embracing the questions.