As thousands gathered in Sydney for the Olympic Opening Ceremony in 2000, Kaylene Whiskey sat in front of her family television at home in Indulkana, in the APY Lands.
It's a time she'll never forget.
"I remember when Cathy Freeman lit the Olympic Flame and won the gold medal, in Indulkana with my family, we were all watching," she said.
Cathy is a hero for Aboriginal people, she is kungka kunpu – a strong woman.
"She looked just like a superhero in her fast, green lycra-suit, the flag was her big cape, she was running and flying!"
This year, the established artist was commissioned to paint ‘kungka kunpu’ for the Super Kaylene Whiskey exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.
The three-panelled portrait has been acquired by the gallery and will take permanent residence in their national collection.
"When we were planning the exhibition, curator April Phillips invited Kaylene to create a new portrait of an Australian hero," explained Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Bree Pickering.
"Kaylene didn’t hesitate and this monumental portrait of her hero Cathy Freeman is the result. This is an exceptional work that is uniquely Kaylene Whiskey and a joyous celebration of Freeman’s monumental win at the 2000 Olympics."
Bush tucker, flags, animals and symbols of power are dotted around Freeman, painted in various outfits and standing alongside Kaylene herself and Wonder Woman.
"This extraordinary work captures Cathy in a new light, powered by the energy, love and the spirit of her sistas in Indulkana and beyond," said Pickering.
Meeting a superhero
For Freeman, the portrait is much more than a painting.
"All of Kaylene’s works share messages of love – they are so powerful and joyous – and it is such an honour to be portrayed as a ‘kungka kunpu’ (strong woman)," she said.
Freeman visited the Gallery and met with Whiskey, a special moment for the Yankunytjatjara woman.
‘I only watched Cathy on TV, and now I met her!" Whiskey said.
"This was a very special day for all of us, but especially Kaylene. While her portraits celebrate her heroes – strong, hugely talented and successful women such as Dolly Parton, Cher and Tina Turner, she has never met any of them in person," added Ms Pickering.
The portrait stands among many celebrated pieces of Whiskey's work. A three-time Archibald Prize finalist and winner of the 2018 Sulman Prize, she's collaborated with knitwear label Wah-Wah, MECCA and the National Gallery of Victoria.
She remains a working artist at Iwantja Arts, an Indigenous owned and governed Aboriginal art centre in the Indulkana Community of the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in the remote north-west of South Australia.
