Kngwarreye's work depicts creation, country, and his traditional Dreamings through broad brush strokes and his combination rich colours.
Kngwarreye was born in 1938, and experienced a traditional bush upbringing in the Utopia region as well as working as a stockman and mine worker for many years. Kngwarreye was recognised as a skin brother of the late Emily Kame Kngwarreye. While he began painting around 1986, his gestural and abstract style was not welcomed by galleries, and he was encouraged to paint in the fashionable 'dotting' style of the time. However, he remained forthright in continuing his abstract style of painting, eventually participating in many international exhibitions and becoming known for his abstract imagery and bold colour use.