Artist Ambrose Killian

Ambrose Killian is a proud Desert/ Eastern Arrernte and Western Bundjalung man and importantly a bunji (mate) I've known most my life.

Quality fact: Ambrose is not only a deadly artist he is also an endurance athlete at the highest level!

Sharing culture and story our whole lives.

Ambrose is a long-time friend, and a 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 explore further and learn from their Indigenous history. Ambrose's art features across schools, brands and landmarks throughout the country; his knowledge and sharing help all generations of Australians build a better connection to culture and connect us all to better appreciate the beautiful country 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 support life. Understanding the terrain and sharing helps us all to better inform and survive in harmony.

@ambrose.killian

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.

Langauage

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.

ARA

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.

LANDSCAPE

The Arrernte have one of the world’s longest continuous storytelling traditions — their songs, artwork and Altyerre (Dreaming) stories map the Central Australian landscape with extraordinary detail, acting as a living GPS, history book and law system all at once.

Apmere
(ap-meh-rah)

Country, home, place of belonging. For Arrernte people, Apmere isn’t just land — it’s identity, ancestors, story, responsibility and deep spiritual connection. It captures the idea that we are shaped by the places we come from, and that caring for Country is caring for ourselves.

bundjalam

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

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.
LANDSCAPE

The Arrernte have one of the world’s longest continuous storytelling traditions — their songs, artwork and Altyerre (Dreaming) stories map the Central Australian landscape with extraordinary detail, acting as a living GPS, history book and law system all at once.
Langauage

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.
Apmere
(ap-meh-rah)

Country, home, place of belonging. For Arrernte people, Apmere isn’t just land — it’s identity, ancestors, story, responsibility and deep spiritual connection. It captures the idea that we are shaped by the places we come from, and that caring for Country is caring for ourselves.
ARA

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.
bundjalam

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