As a proud Wadawurrung woman, Kait James’ creative practice raises questions relating to identity, perception, and our knowledge of Australia’s Indigenous communities.

Using punch needling embroidery she subverts Aboriginal calendar tea towels from the 70-80’s with pop-cultural references and indigenous issues to reflect contemporary perspectives.

Incorporating humour and vivid colours, James addresses the way white western culture has dominated Australia’s history, how Australia and the world perceives our First Nations’ People and James’ personal reflections on her Indigenous heritage.

Kait James is a proud Wadawurrung woman and award-winning contemporary artist based in Melbourne. She obtained a Bachelor of Media Arts/Photography from RMIT University in 2001, returning to make art in 2018. Using punch needling techniques, she embroiders onto kitsch found materials such as Aboriginal souvenir tea towels from the 70’s and 80’s to explore her indigenous identity and Anglo heritage. By re-appropriating these images, she endeavours to develop and use her art in ways that encourages responsiveness, unity, and optimism within and beyond Indigenous communities.

In 2019, Kait was awarded the Craft Victoria Emerging Artist award and the Lendlease Reconciliation Award, Koorie Art Show.

Watch Kait's artist talk here.

Discover the exhibition at Bargoonga Nganjin, North Fitzroy Library during opening hours.