2023 MECCA Holiday Collaboration
Kaylene Whiskey
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square
Level 2
17 Oct 23 – 7 Jun 24
“I want to share love, happiness, laughter and togetherness with everybody! Uwangkara tjungu, mulapa rikina! (Everyone together, looking so good!)”
–Kaylene Whiskey, 2023
Staying true to her distinct and vibrant art practice, which is widely recognised for its celebration of sisterhood and strong kungas (women), this series by Kaylene Whiskey instils a sense of joy into the politically charged collision of Western pop culture and life on Country. Produced on discarded tourist pamphlets, Whiskey’s bold depictions of iconic women surrounded by red dirt, tjala (honey ants) and ngiṉṯaka (perentie lizards), intermingle Western consumerism with Aṉangu culture.
The superheroes, though seemingly incongruous with their surrounds, communicate the lived reality of many First Nations people growing up on Country in postcolonial Australia; the often complex and powerful synthesis which involves both resistance and dependence upon non-Indigenous society. Together, Whiskey’s works are irreverent and witty, layered with commentary around Indigenous life and its ever-evolving and complicated relationship with tradition and contemporary popular influences. Whiskey lives in Indulkana, Yankunytjatjara, Southern Desert region, and practices at the Iwantja Arts centre. Her lifelong dream is for Dolly Parton to visit her on Country.
The NGV warmly thanks MECCA for supporting the acquisition of these works.
Watch 2023 MECCA Holiday Collaboration artist, Kaylene Whiskey, whose vivid paintings show Hollywood actors, famous divas and pop icons interacting with Whiskey’s daily life in Indulkana, north-west of Adelaide.
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