Philly Kemarre

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Philly Kemarre (b. 1996) is an Arrernte artist whose practice combines culture, technology, truth-telling and Country. Born and raised in Darwin, NT, and now based in the Blue Mountains, NSW, his work explores how ancestral knowledge, contemporary Blak expression and systems thinking can be translated through paint.

Kemarre holds a Bachelor of Information Technology in Computer Science from Queensland University of Technology. His Big 4 consulting background in technology strategy and transformation across health, government systems, digital architecture and complex ICT environments informs the structural and conceptual layers of his art practice. 

His work is concerned with the systems that shape how people think, behave and remember. Through painting, Kemarre examines populist politics, echo chambers, gatekeepers and cultural silos, making visible the forces that distort truth, control narratives and divide communities. His practice uses colour, symbol, humour and disruption to expose these patterns and invite people to see the structures they are caught inside.

He has also worked as Ranger Coordinator for the North Tanami Rangers, supporting rangers, Traditional Owners, CLC staff and community in caring for Country, maintaining cultural connection and passing knowledge to younger generations.

Kemarre’s work has been presented in Dreaming Tracks at Aboriginal Bush Traders in 2025, and in group exhibitions with Chalk Horse including Sydney Contemporary 2025, Spring1883 2025 and Level Two in 2026.

Kemarre’s latest works remain traditional in their story telling yet bring to Australian Indigenous Art an urban street vibe, distilling a sense of dynamic – energised playfulness throughout the paintings. Kemarre’s art does indeed challenge the norm, they are at times sexual, three dimensional and utilise western motifs &  iconography in their composition and palette. 

Perhaps a new genre in Indigenous Art has arrived, Neo Indigenous Art.