Kaylene Whiskey (Yankunytjatjara, Australia)

White Bay Power Station

Kaylene Whiskey is from a family of artists, including her grandfather Kunmanara (Whiskey) Tjukangku, a renowned senior man and artist. Whiskey started working at Iwantja Arts, located in the Indulkana Community on the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in north-west South Australia, after finishing school, making paintings that incorporated representations of local flora and fauna, as well as traditional bush foods. Over time Whiskey developed her unique approach to painting, with depictions of pop culture references sitting alongside elements from traditional Aṉangu culture. She favours painting prominent figures such as Dolly Parton and Tina Turner, as well as comic book characters like Wonder Woman in a celebration of heroic women and the sisterhood.

Commissioned by the Biennale of Sydney and Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain with generous assistance from the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.