Sharing a rising culture with Ambrose Killian

Ambrose is a long time friend, and proud desert/ Eastern Arrernte and Western Bundjalung man. Lane and Ambrose have grown up together, their mateship helping carve differing paths both aligned in wanting to further explore and learn from their Indigenous history.

Ambrose's art features across schools, brands and landmarks throughout the country, his knowledge and sharing helps all generations of Australians gain a better connection with culture and connects us all to help better appreciate the beutiful country that we all share today.

Beneath The Surface

The Arrernte people live in Central Australia, their traditional land including the area of Alice Springs and East MacDonnell Ranges. They are also referred to as Aranda, Arrarnta, Arunta, and other similar spellings. Arrernte country is rich with mountain ranges, waterholes, and gorges; as a result the Arrernte people set aside ‘conservation areas’ in which various species are protected today.

Beneath the Surface - the art featured on our new rolls showcases the thousand year old stories of how water and knowledge supports life. Understanding the terrain and sharing helps us all to better inform and survive in harmony.

Arrernte and West Bundjalung Learnings

  • Arrernte

    Arrernte people maintain a strong presence in Alice Springs, and have formed the Arrernte Council of Central Australia, as well playing a major role in the Aboriginal organisations in Alice Springs. Many Arrernte people also live in communities outside of Alice Springs and on outstations.

    There are roughly 1800 speakers of Eastern and Central Arrernte, making it the largest spoken language in the Arandic family, and one of the largest speaking populations of any Australian language. It is taught in schools, heard in local media and local government.

  • Storytelling

    One of the Arrernte peoples totemic spirit is Ara - the Red Kangaroo known as Kere aherre. Today The totemic sites are sacred and a refuge for Kere aherre, no hunting is permitted in and around these sacred sites.

    The Bundjalam (butterfly) is the totem of the Bundjalung people, an indication of the abundance of butterflies once found in the Northern Rivers.

  • About Ambrose

    Ambrose is an artist, educator, father and designer. He is also a deadly athlete and has used his sporting pursuits to help share culture on track and country. He recently completed the Tour De Deadly a 1000km journey taking his art workshops to help skill-up kids and learn our glorious culture.

    What strikes us most about Ambrose is his desire to learn, share and build a collective culture. Having known the suffering of a grandmother who was part of the stolen generation, to leading his boys on a new chapter of First Nations culture. One where we learn from at school and look to for guidance. His art can be found across the nation bringing joy and colour - and now you can enjoy it in your own home.

    Check out more of Ambrose's deadly work here »