There are things that are quintessentially Australian – boardies and thongs, cork hats, Vegemite, fairy bread. Just some examples. But what about the moments that have shaped our culture? The movies, events, the cricket moustaches. The Australian Women’s Weekly Cake Book. The Matildas.
As Beck Feiner puts it, it’s all part of our “weird and wonderful history”.
Feiner uses the phrase in her new book, Look at Moi Ploise – an ode to the author and illustrator’s favourite Australians Kath and Kim.
Written with Kate Cunningham, Look at Moi Ploise is Feiner’s first adult book, although plenty of kids would find it both exciting and informative.
“It reminds us how lucky we are to live in this country, especially with what’s going on around the world,” Feiner told The AJN. “We need to celebrate our nation’s cultural identity with these moments in history. These may not be taught in schools, but everyone can relate to them.”
Feiner said she has a lot of friends from overseas who said it gives them insight into the Australian culture. “They finally get what the Women’s Weekly cakes are all about,” she laughed.
Look at Moi Ploise takes readers on a journey through Australia’s cultural history. It’s illustrated in typical Beck Feiner fashion – bright, bold and beautiful.
But, as Feiner points out, it touches on some pretty deep subjects, not just the lighthearted topics.
“We go back to Bert Newton and everyone’s love of all the ‘big’ things in Australia, but then we also do important moments, like when we finally voted ‘yes’ to marriage equality and important Indigenous moments,” Feiner explained.
For every Australian reading the book, there is an incredible sense of nostalgia. It’s a gift to present-day Aussies to be able to not only take a trip down memory lane, but also to see how far we have come as a society.
Part of this is including recent moments like the swell of support for the Matildas.
As is written in the book, “When the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicked off in 2023, the Matildas were loved by a small but loyal contingent of soccer fans. But by the time the competition was done, it seems that every last Australian was obsessed with our women’s team.”
Feiner was pleased that she was able to include the Matildas in the book, as well as Dylan Alcott and Ash Barty.
“I was proud to be able to include some really recent illustrations like the Matildas, which I thought was really important. We did the cricket moustaches. I did all the players and the moustaches of the ’80s – the Merv Hughes. But then you also have to go ‘look at how far we’ve come’. Because while we celebrate all those amazing men in history, and while we still have a long way to go, it’s a real timeline to show the progression.”
The book is separated in chapters per decade – from the Nifty Fifties to the Stay Inside Twenties – and includes things from the Hills Hoist through to the arrival of colour television, Charlene’s dress in Neighbours, the Big Day Out and Hey Hey, It’s Saturday, and then to, as described, the COVID lockdowns. Each chapter opens with a brief outline of what happened throughout the decade.
When chatting to The AJN, Feiner laughed about the ‘Avo Toast Tens’ when “Millennials had to choose between their first home and avocado toast”.
What pleases Feiner, perhaps the most, is the big spread dedicated to Kath & Kim.
“Kath & Kim is true love,” she laughed. “We’ve dedicated two double spreads to them. It’s worth it for a couple of hornbags.” As is written in the book, “Kath & Kim bottled a type of magic that, as the short-lived US adaptation proved, can’t be replicated.”
When talking about the process of writing and illustrating the book, Feiner said she was given a great amount of freedom.
“What the publisher really allowed me to do is bring my style to this book and really have free range. So, I really feel it is a Beck Feiner collection that I was able to put in this book that I’m really proud of.”
Speaking of her illustrations, Feiner said she loves that she can bring a bit of joy to the world, even when covering heavier topics.
“My work is bright, but it allows me to talk about serious issues,” she said, explaining that she’s often viewed as the friend who breaks the news, albeit in an entertaining way.
“I’m always a glass half-full person, so when you know everything has been happening in the world, I focus on being kind, or on the positive side of things. But I also don’t shy away from serious issues. I talk about domestic violence and I’m a huge feminist. But I feel like you don’t have to ram it down people’s throats. You can do it in a thoughtful way that makes people think.”
“We need to celebrate our nation’s cultural identity with these moments in history. These may not be taught in schools, but everyone can relate to them.”
Through all of her illustrations and Look at Moi Ploise, Feiner covers light topics, while never shying away from heavier ones. And she does so in the most comforting way.
It truly is a wonderful gift for all Australians, to look back at our cultural history and the moments that have shaped our nation.
It’s something that Feiner is particularly chuffed about.
“I hope it makes people proud to be Australian, and part of multicultural Australia, because we’re from everywhere.”
Look at Moi Ploise is published by Murdoch Books, $24.99 rrp.
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