The Art of Kaylene Whiskey: Do You Believe in Love? by Natalie King and Iwantja Arts
The Art of Kaylene Whiskey: Do You Believe in Love? by Natalie King and Iwantja Arts
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, Zo� Whitley, Clothilde Bullen and April Phillips.
