Meet Kaylene Whiskey
MECCA’s 2023 NGV Holiday Artist Collaboration
In 2023, we collaborated with the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and Yankunytjatjara artist Kaylene Whiskey to wrap your gifts in pure joy.
Inspired by kungka kunpu (strong women), Whiskey’s works are the visual manifestation of her love for pop culture, her Anangu roots, and the happiness that creativity provides. Painted to a soundtrack of classic rock, pop and country music, Whiskey’s paintings are rich in irreverent humour, bringing together the traditional culture of her community with the contemporary experience of a younger generation who have grown up with superheroes and popstars on their screens.
Whiskey's work is truly inspiring. The beauty of wonder and creativity, of celebration and togetherness, of kungka kunpu (strong women) and happiness—the kind that shimmers and glows from the inside out—radiates from all of her paintings. We are so proud to feature such a talented artist, and to bring the same joy to the gallery that we hope this partnership brings to you, we will be contributing to the NGV’s acquisition of a Kaylene Whiskey masterpiece.
We wish to thank Dr Terry Wu, owner of Kaylene's spectacular ‘Seven Sisters’, for loaning the piece to us from his collection – and in turn, to our MECCA community.
In 2023, we collaborated with the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and Yankunytjatjara artist Kaylene Whiskey to wrap your gifts in pure joy.
Inspired by kungka kunpu (strong women), Whiskey’s works are the visual manifestation of her love for pop culture, her Anangu roots, and the happiness that creativity provides. Painted to a soundtrack of classic rock, pop and country music, Whiskey’s paintings are rich in irreverent humour, bringing together the traditional culture of her community with the contemporary experience of a younger generation who have grown up with superheroes and popstars on their screens.
Whiskey's work is truly inspiring. The beauty of wonder and creativity, of celebration and togetherness, of kungka kunpu (strong women) and happiness—the kind that shimmers and glows from the inside out—radiates from all of her paintings. We are so proud to feature such a talented artist, and to bring the same joy to the gallery that we hope this partnership brings to you, we will be contributing to the NGV’s acquisition of a Kaylene Whiskey masterpiece.
We wish to thank Dr Terry Wu, owner of Kaylene's spectacular ‘Seven Sisters’, for loaning the piece to us from his collection – and in turn, to our MECCA community.
“I love listening to music while I’m working, and the music gives me ideas for the pictures. I like to have fun with my paintings.”
Kaylene Whiskey
