Family Past and Present | Aboriginal Painting by Kelly Taylor

Waltja Irititja Munu Waltja Kuwaritja — Family, Past and Present.

This original painting by Kelly Taylor shares the story of family life on Country across generations, honouring those who came before us, those who walk beside us today, and those who will carry culture into the future.

Across the painting, waterholes and rockholes represent important gathering places where families meet, rest, collect water and reconnect with one another. The flowing tracks between camps symbolise journeys across Country and the connections between communities.

Campsites and campfires show families sitting together sharing stories, laughter and knowledge passed down through Elders. Nearby, women perform Inma, sharing Tjukurpa (Dreaming) stories through dance and song, while Ngangkari, traditional healers, sit at the campfire representing healing and spiritual wellbeing.

The black footprints honour loved ones who have passed away, acknowledging that although they are no longer physically with us, their spirit continues to walk with us on Country.

Scenes of daily life are also shown through symbols of bush foods such as honey ants, witchetty grubs, wild onions and quandongs. The coolamon and digging stick represent women’s work in gathering and preparing food, reflecting survival, knowledge and the continuation of culture.

The shelter, or humpy, represents home and protection, while flowing lines across the painting symbolise the cool breeze moving through the land. The detailed dot work represents the Country itself — the land that holds our stories, memories and sacred sites that must be respected and protected.

Waltja Irititja Munu Waltja Kuwaritja honours family across time — past, present and future.

The artwork is hand signed by the artist and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

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My name is Kelly Taylor and I am an Aboriginal artist from South Australia. I belong to the Yankunytjatjara and Kokatha people, and my paintings are deeply connected to Country, family and the Dreamtime stories passed down to me through my Nana, Millie Taylor (Lennon-Terone).

My painting journey began when I was 11 years old, more than 35 years ago. I was born in Port Augusta and taught to paint by my grandmother, Millie. Growing up, I would watch her paint and listen to her stories, and that is where my own journey as an artist really began.

My early connection to painting and culture was also documented while I was still young. My Nana Millie spoke about me and my painting journey in the book Aboriginal Artists in South Australia. I was also photographed as a young girl standing proudly with two of my canvas paintings in Aboriginal Art and the Dreaming. Looking back at those early memories means a lot to me because they remind me where my journey began, with my Nana, my family and the stories she passed on to me.

Many of my artworks come from my lived experiences on Country, gathering bush foods and bush medicine, visiting waterholes and sacred places, and spending time with family out bush.

My style brings together flowing symbols, layered colour and fine dot work. I paint stories about connection, journey, family, healing and belonging. Through my work, I share memories of life on Country and the cultural knowledge I carry as an Aboriginal woman and artist.

Today, I paint alongside my daughters, continuing a strong family legacy of Aboriginal storytelling through art. That means a lot to me because painting is not just about creating something beautiful. It is about keeping our stories alive and passing them on to the next generation.

My work has been collected across Australia and internationally, and I have been involved in exhibitions, collaborations and commissioned projects with organisations including the Royal Flying Doctor Service, SA Water, SA Power Networks, Northline, Ingham's Australia, Enerven Australia, SANE Australia, the Australian Taxation Office and Disney x Bluethumb. My work and story have also been featured in Vogue Living.

For me, painting is more than art. It is about culture, family, respect and sharing a real connection to Country.