I Am Kam!

Discover the stunning artworks of Indigenous Australian painter Emily Kam Kngwarray…

Explore the amazing artworks of Indigenous Australian painter Emily Kam Kngwarray (say “in-gwah-ray”) at Tate Modern’s epic new show, from now until 11 January 2026.

This extraordinary artist didn’t start painting until her late seventies – and then she didn’t stop! The thousands of artworks she created were each deeply connected to the animals and landscapes of Alhalker Country, her Ancestral homeland, and to her unique Anmatyerr culture. Read on to learn about her life and inspirations…

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Born around 1914 in Alhalker Country, in Australia’s Northern Territory, Kngwarray saw many changes over her long lifetime. As a girl, when European colonisers took over her Ancestral lands, she began to work as a farmhand – before then she had never seen a white person.

She started to make art in 1977 after learning about batik (melted wax drawings on fabric) during educational workshops. By then Kngwarray was a respected elder, and for a decade she created beautiful and vibrant batiks.

In 1987, she was introduced to paint and from then until her death in 1996, she created thousands of paintings! Though her techniques changed, all of her art reflected her role as a custodian of her homeland.

Many of the artist’s most vibrant paintings show Alhalker Country, her Ancestral homeland, with its winding waterways, textured rocks, wildflowers, grasses and shifting light. Some seem to show a bird’s eye view of the land, or map out the paths of wildlife.

SAND DRAWING & BODY PAINTING

Although Kngwarray didn’t put paint onto canvas until she was around 75 years old, expressive mark making had always been part of her culture. Her people use sand drawing to tell their stories. And during awely (ceremonies), the women paint each other’s bodies. Lots of her art shows these same body painting designs.

The name ‘Kam’ was given to the artist by her grandfather and translates as ‘pencil yam seed pod’. She identified strongly with her namesake – it was her story, or ‘Dreaming’ – and she frequently painted the crisscrossing anwerlarr (pencil yam) vines that grow all over Alhalker, as well as their winding roots and fingerlike tubers (see below).

Many of her expressive canvases are filled with colourful dots that show yam seeds. Kngwarray had a special understanding of this native plant, an important food source that can survive drought and fire, and bursts into life after rainfall.

What does it make you think of?

Visit Emily Kam Kngwarray’s artwork at Tate Modern

Visit the first major exhibition in Europe showcasing the vibrant legacy of one of the world’s most significant contemporary artists. 

Stand before powerful and vibrant artworks that transport you to the Australian central desert and witness something timeless, sacred, and intensely alive.

Did you know under 12s go free? Book your tickets online at tate.org.uk!

WIN tickets to Tate

For your chance to win a family trip to Tate Modern (the most visited art gallery in the world!) plus some amazing art supplies, we want you to create a piece of art inspired by Kngwarray.