Ally Kemarre
Discover Ally Kemarre's distinctive paintings inspired by Anwekety and Utopia Country.
Ally Kemarre was an Anmatyerre Aboriginal artist from the Utopia region of Central Australia. Her paintings are closely associated with Anwekety, the small black conkerberries that grow after good rain and are found abundantly in parts of Utopia, including her Country at Ahalpere. Through her art, Ally shared her knowledge of Anwekety and its significance with audiences beyond her community.
About Ally Kemarre
Ally Kemarre began painting during CAAMA's A Summer Project of 1988/89, when acrylic painting was introduced to the Utopia region. Although she was not a prolific artist, Ally continued painting steadily until her death in 2007. Her simple, distinctive compositions reflected her connection to Country and her knowledge of Anwekety, an important bush food that appears throughout her artwork.
Learn more about Ally Kemarre on her Mbantua Gallery biography page.
Anwekety: Conkerberry and Country
Anwekety, or conkerberry, grows after good rain and can be found in abundance in certain areas of Utopia. Ally's paintings celebrate this connection to Country, using the Anwekety as a central subject and sharing her knowledge of this small but significant bush food. Her works provide a simple yet meaningful expression of her Anmatyerre cultural heritage and relationship with the land.
A Family of Utopia Artists
Ally lived within a family community where art was an important part of everyday life, with family members working across painting and sculpture. Artists connected to her extended family include Glady Kemarre, Angelina Pwerle, Polly Ngale and Kathleen Ngale, who have all painted for Mbantua Gallery. This strong artistic lineage reflects the continuing tradition of Aboriginal art from the Utopia region.
The Story Behind Ally Kemarre's Paintings
Ally's artwork was a way of sharing knowledge about the Anwekety and the Country where it grows. Her paintings are characterised by a simple and direct approach, allowing the subject to remain central to each composition. Alongside Anwekety, her subjects include Awelye (Women's Ceremony) and Ahakeye (Bush Plum) Dreaming, connecting her artwork to the cultural knowledge and stories of her Anmatyerre heritage.
Collecting Ally Kemarre Art
An original Ally Kemarre painting offers collectors a connection to the early years of the Utopia acrylic painting movement and to an artist whose work was deeply connected to the natural environment. Her distinctive Anwekety paintings provide a unique expression of Country, culture and bush food knowledge, making them an interesting addition to a collection of authentic Aboriginal art.
Displaying an Ally Kemarre Artwork
Ally's simple compositions can work beautifully in a range of interiors, allowing the subject and connection to Country to remain the focus. When choosing an artwork, consider the available wall space, scale and surrounding colours. Her works can be displayed individually as a focal piece or alongside other Utopia artworks to create a collection that reflects the diversity of styles and stories found within the region.
Provenance and Collector Support
Mbantua Gallery has longstanding connections with artists and communities from Utopia and provides collectors with carefully presented information about each artwork. Original Ally Kemarre paintings are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, where applicable, and are carefully prepared for delivery. Our team can assist with artwork selection, provenance information and shipping for collectors in Australia and internationally.
7 products
Ally Kemarre
