Mourning Story 1991

"Mourning Story" by Emily Kame Kngwarreye is an all over field of colour made with a dotting technique. It's like a map, but not of a place, more a map of feeling, perhaps a way to recall a memory. The texture in this painting is mesmerizing. It’s a field of tiny marks. The physical layering gives it a real presence, the colour humming with energy, the blues and pinks seeming to vibrate. Each dot seems carefully placed, building up a complex, shimmering surface. Look closely at the clusters of darker dots, how they create a sense of depth and movement. It's almost like looking into the night sky. Kngwarreye’s work reminds me of Agnes Martin, the way both artists used repetition and subtle variations to create these meditative fields of colour and form. Like all great art, this piece invites us to slow down, to feel, and to think. It's a reminder that art can be a space for contemplation, and that beauty can be found in the simplest of gestures.