Dinny Kunoth Kemarre

Born in 1954 on the Utopia cattle station in Central Australia, Dinny Kunoth Kemarre is a respected Anmatyerre artist whose work serves as a vibrant chronicle of contemporary Indigenous life. Before turning to the arts, Kemarre was a proficient stockman, a background that deeply informs his naive style of painting and sculpture. His practice is rooted in a long-standing Central Australian sculptural tradition; he tells stories of his father sculpting and has passed these skills down to his sons, who continue the family’s artistic legacy.

While Kemarre is celebrated for his polychrome carvings, his work transcends simple categorization. His portfolio reflects a diverse range of multicultural influences, spanning from traditional hunting and ceremonial objects to rodeo stars, biblical dioramas, and his acclaimed 2011 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award-winning chess set, which featured intricate carvings of elders, pastors, and local birdlife.

Kemarre’s paintings are equally atmospheric and storytelling-heavy, capturing the spirit of outback life through depictions of local horse racing at Harts Range and community gatherings. A significant portion of his work also explores the passionate role of Australian Rules Football (AFL) within remote communities. His "Dream Team" sculptures and depictions of bush football matches, where local teams like the Apungalingum Eagles and Mulga Bore Magpies emulate national icons, have been exhibited at high-profile venues, including Parliament House in Canberra and the Art Gallery of South Australia. Through both wood and canvas, Kemarre reveals a natural aptitude for capturing the quirky, amusing, and deeply communal reality of the Northern Territory.