“Unconstitutional Love”
Kyra Mancktelow
13 Jan → 24 Feb 2024
Kyra Mancktelow in conversation with Coby Edgar, 24 Feb, 7 – 8 am
West Space is proud to premiere Unconstitutional Love by Quandamooka artist Kyra Mancktelow (Qld).
Unconstitutional Love centres around a wedding dress that honours the artist’s Ancestors. With this work, Kyra continues to explore the history of garments in Australia as a means by which to address the ongoing impact of colonisation.
Kyra says, “Until the 1960s, Indigenous Australians could only marry with government permission. These garments and prints investigate long-lasting legacies of colonialism, asking questions such as how we remember and acknowledge these histories. My hope is to draw upon the strength of resistance by adapting, retaining cultural ways and identity.”
Read Unravelling Rivals by Elijah Money.
Unconstitutional Love is presented in partnership with Agency Projects. The Closing Night Drinks are part of the Melbourne Art Fair program.
Kyra Mancktelow’s multidisciplinary practice investigates legacies of colonialism, posing important questions such as how we remember and acknowledge Indigenous histories. A Quandamooka artist with links to the Mardigan people of Cunnamulla, Kyra’s practice includes printmaking, ceramics, and sculpture – each applying a unique and distinct aesthetic. Kyra works with various materials to share her rich heritage, stories, and traditions to educate audiences and strengthen her connection to Country.