Sarah Morton Kngwarreye

Sarah Morton Kngwarreye (1961-2019) was an Alyawarre artist connected to Ngkwarlerlanem and Arnkawenyerr Country in the Utopia region of Central Australia. Sarah was the daughter of renowned Utopia artist the late Mary Morton Kemarre and grew up surrounded by a strong artistic and cultural tradition. Alongside her mother and sisters Lucky, Audrey and Ruby, she was involved in the Utopia batik movement of the 1980s, with her work later featured in the Robert Holmes á Court collection.

Sarah began painting on canvas as part of the CAAMA First Works on Canvas project in 1988-89 and continued to work across acrylic painting, batik and wood carving. She began painting for Mbantua Gallery in the early 1990s.

Her artworks share the stories of her two Countries, Ngkwarlerlanem and Arnkawenyerr, including Ilyarnayt (Acacia validinervia), Yerrampe (Honey Ant), Tharrkarr (Sweet Honey Grevillea), bush foods, bush medicine, Awelye (women's ceremony) and important cultural stories connected to Country.

Sarah lived at Arnkawenyerr with her family, where painting was a meaningful part of everyday life and a way to continue sharing the knowledge and traditions passed down through generations.