Title: The Art of Kaylene Whiskey: Do You Believe in Love?
Authors: Kaylene Whiskey, Natalie King OAM and Iwantja Arts
Publisher: Thames and Hudson Australia
Shortlist: Indigenous Writing
Kaylene Whiskey's paintings dazzle with brightly coloured pop stars rendered in dots and set amongst her own community in remote Central Australia. She depicts female pop culture icons - including Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, Catwoman, Cher and Wonder Woman - all connected to the Kungkarangkalpa Tjukurpa, or Seven Sisters Story. These heroines, however, are shown partying at Iwantja Art Centre in Indulkana, South Australia.
Her comic-book style and text bubbles are hilarious yet potent symbols of female power in an Aboriginal setting. A joyful visual anthem, Whiskey's work draws from the country music, rock'n'roll and Anangu songs played in her household growing up. An in-depth interview with the artist punctuates the richly illustrated pages in which Whiskey describes her creative process - blending Anangu traditions with contemporary culture by painting jugs of Coca-Cola alongside mingkulpa (native bush tobacco), lollipops, honey ants and love hearts.
Edited by the renowned curator Natalie King and the team at Iwantja Arts,The Art of Kaylene Whiskey: Do You Believe in Love? is the first major monograph on the artist. Colourfully designed throughout and featuring a dynamic lenticular cover, the volume also includes contributions from notable creatives Taika Waititi, Jazz Money, Zoé Whitley, Clothilde Bullen and April Phillips.
Source: Wheeler Centre
