Bush Yam Dreaming 1994

Emily Kame Kngwarreye made this painting called *Bush Yam Dreaming* using acrylic on canvas. Up close, it’s all about the lines, each one drawn with such confidence and ease, like a map of thoughts. They’re not just lines, they’re the story of the bush yam, its roots spreading, a dance of survival and life. The way the paint sits on the canvas, sometimes thick, sometimes thin, you can almost feel Emily's hand moving, each stroke deliberate, yet free. There’s a spot right in the center where the lines seem to gather, almost like a knot, a focal point where the story deepens. Thinking about Agnes Martin, who also used lines to explore inner landscapes, I’m reminded that art isn’t just about what we see, but what we feel and remember. It’s about the connections we make, the stories we carry. Emily’s painting invites us to connect with her story, with the land, and with each other.