In this episode of Biographers in Conversation, Ashleigh Wilson chats with Dr Gabriella Kelly-Davies me about his choices while crafting Brett Whiteley: Art, Life and the Other Thing, his acclaimed biography of Brett Whiteley, one of Australia’s most iconic artists.
Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:
- The meaning of The Other Thing in the biography’s title
- Ashleigh’s surprise discoveries and how they shaped the narrative
- How Ashleigh verified the many colourful anecdotes about Brett Whiteley
- How he reconciled the layers of myth surrounding Whiteley’s art and life
- Why he structured Whiteley’s biography chronologically
- How Whiteley’s mercurial character drove the plot
- How Ashleigh portrayed Whiteley’s complex relationship with Australia and his desire to be recognised on the international stage
- How Ashleigh balanced Whiteley’s public persona and human story
- Ashleigh’s ethical decisions when revealing Whiteley’s mental health issues and addictions
- The literary devices Ashleigh employed to balance academic rigour with crafting a captivating and propulsive narrative
- The extent to which Ashleigh believes he got to the truth of his biographical subject.
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