Alison Whittaker

A stunning mix of memoir, reportage, fiction, satire, and critique composed by a powerful new voice in poetry. Alison Whittaker's BLAKWORK is an original and unapologetic collection from which two things emerge; an incomprehensible loss, and the poet's fearless examination of the present. Whittaker is unsparing in the interrogation of familiar ideas - identifying and dissolving them with idiosyncratic imagery, layering them to form new connections, and reinterpreting what we know. 'Alison Whittaker's second book, Blakwork is a bold mix of poetry, micro-fiction, memoir and critique, and a follow-up to her award-wining debut poetry collection, Lemons in the Chicken Wire...Whittaker has drawn on the strength of past generations to become a strong blak woman in contemporary Australia, and readers are gifted her insights into growing up blak. With a unique style of writing, she bravely unpacks themes such as colonisation and Aboriginal rights in Australia.' -- Karen Wyld, Books+Publishing

Blakwork

This important anthology, curated by Gomeroi poet and academic Alison Whittaker, showcases Australia's most-respected First Nations poets alongside some of the rising stars. Featured poets include Oodgeroo Noonuccal, Ruby Langford Ginibi, Ellen van Neerven, Tony Birch, Claire G. Coleman, Evelyn Araluen, Jack Davis, Kevin Gilbert, Lionel Fogarty, Sam Wagan Watson, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Archie Roach and Alexis Wright. Divided into five thematic sections, each one is introduced by an essay from a leading Aboriginal writer and thinker - Bruce Pascoe, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Chelsea Bond, Evelyn Araluen and Steven Oliver - who reflects on the power of First Nations poetry with their own original contribution. This incredible book is a testament to the renaissance of First Nations poetry happening in Australia right now.

First Nations Poetry and Power Today

Fire Front

From a remarkable new voice in Indigenous writing comes this highly original collection of poems bristling with stunning imagery and gritty textures. At times sensual, always potent, Lemons in the Chicken Wire delivers a collage of work that reflects rural identity through a rich medley of techniques and forms. It is an audacious, lyrical and linguistically lemon flavored poetry debut that possesses a rare edginess and seeks to challenge our imagination beyond the ordinary. Alison Whittaker demonstrates that borders, whether physical or imagined, are no match for our capacity for love.

Lemons in the Chicken Wire

This important anthology, curated by Gomeroi poet and academic Alison Whittaker, showcases many respected First Nations poets from this continent alongside some of its rising stars. Featured poets include Oodgeroo Noonuccal, Jack Davis, Ruby Langford Ginibi, Kevin Gilbert, Lisa Bellear, Lionel Fogarty, Kerry Reed-Gilbert, Archie Roach, Alexis Wright, Sam Wagan Watson, Ellen van Neerven, Briggs, Claire G. Coleman and Tony Birch. Divided into five thematic sections, each is introduced by an essay from a leading Aboriginal writer and thinker - Bruce Pascoe, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Steven Oliver, Chelsea Bond and Evelyn Araluen Corr - who reflects on the power of First Nations poetry in their own inimitable way. This incredible book is a testament to the renaissance of First Nations poetry happening in Australia right now.

Alison Whittaker

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