As a proud Wadawurrung woman, Kait James’s work poses questions relating to identity, perception and our knowledge of Australia’s Indigenous communities.
Using techniques including Punch Needling, she embroiders kitsch found materials. Her current work focuses on Aboriginal Calendar Tea Towels from the 1970-80’s that generalise and stereotype her culture; subverting them with familiar pop-cultural references, indigenous issues relevant to that year, as well as the present day to reflect her contemporary perspective.
Through the use of humour and vivid colours, James addresses the way colonial culture has dominated Australia’s history, how Australia and the world perceives our First Nations’ People and her personal reflections on her Indigenous heritage.