About
From the Founder -
My name is Ambrose Scott Killian, proud desert/ Eastern Arrernte and Western Bundjalung man. I am a proud father to Amias Angale Killianand Akira Angale Killianandlovinghusband. I was born on Larrakia country (Darwin)and I am currently residing in Meanjin/ Brisbane on beautiful Quandamooka country to which I now call home and have since 1999. My Nana, Barbara-Anne Chisholm, was born on Eastern Arrernte country and was stolen and raised north of Darwin on Melville Island before moving to Brisbane and then back to Darwin after her schooling had finished. My Grandfather, Ambrose Morgan was of Bundjalung and African-American decent and grew up around Redfern, NSW, so I have family, connections, experiences and stories to share through all of these regions.
I have always been a day dreamer and drawer, finding myself stuck sketching and drawing from a very young age –it was and always will be my vessel for communicating, connecting to Apmere/ country and translating and sharing stories of myself, my ancestors and the notion of ‘Country’. Art and creating has always been my safe space, letting me share my feelings and stories in a realm that lacks judgement and is only limited to one’s imagination. My drive to learn more about the cultural significance of our art really began in 2010 when I created a large piece titled ‘Grey’. This piece won the Indigenous Heart Foundation Student Award and toured QLD galleries for the remainder of the year -More importantly, it opened up my passion and drive to keep painting and learning about our art and culture, contacting my elders and being a pest for learning and sharing my knowledge for those who take the time to listen.
Creating for our future
My grandparents were not afforded the opportunity to practise and emerse themselves in culture, so my pride and passion is exuberated by this lost time. It's our duty to continue on our stories and teachings to ensure culture is strong, alive and well for future generations.
Embedding culture through artwork
I have always been a day dreamer and drawer, finding myself stuck sketching and drawing from a very young age –it was and always will be my vessel for communicating, connecting to Apmere/ country and translating and sharing stories of myself, my ancestors and the notion of ‘Country’