Ashleigh Wilson's "Brett Whiteley: Art, Life and the Other Thing"

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.