A family journey

KTAFA × Bluethumb

KTAFA's family journey with Bluethumb began through a Disney collaboration, marking the start of a powerful creative partnership rooted in storytelling, culture, and connection. What started as a shared opportunity has continued to grow, evolving into an ongoing journey that highlights the strength of family, artistic expression, and generational talent.

All collaborations Meet the artists →

2020

First Bluethumb Art Prize finalist

2020

Abstract Award winner — Kelilah Ware

2024

Brushstrokes of Tradition — 1 Denison

Family artists exhibited together

The journey

A partnership rooted in family, culture and connection

From the first Disney collaboration to the Brushstrokes of Tradition exhibition at 1 Denison, the KTAFA family's relationship with Bluethumb has grown into one of the most meaningful creative partnerships in contemporary Aboriginal art. Each chapter reflects a deepening connection — between mother and daughters, between generations, and between culture and the wider world.

06 June 2024

Brushstrokes of Tradition: Family, Country and Connection at 1 Denison

The Bluethumb exhibition Brushstrokes of Tradition at 1 Denison brought together a powerful celebration of Indigenous art, storytelling and family connection. Curated for NAIDOC Week under the theme “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud.”

Featuring the work of South Australian artists Kelly Taylor, T’keyah Ware and Kelilah Taylor-Ware, the exhibition marked a special moment for the family, showcasing their works together in the same space for the first time. Their paintings carry stories of Country, childhood memories, and lived experience, expressed through bold colour and deeply personal visual language.

At the heart of the exhibition is the idea that art is not created in isolation, but through shared knowledge, guidance and lived connection. Each artwork reflects the passing of cultural knowledge between generations, where painting becomes a way of strengthening family bonds while honouring Country and tradition.

Presented within the striking space of 1 Denison, the exhibition also speaks to the evolving place of Indigenous art in contemporary environments, where cultural stories are shared with wider audiences while remaining grounded in identity and heritage.

For KT Aboriginal Fine Art, Brushstrokes of Tradition reflects a shared truth: that storytelling through art is a living practice, strengthened through family, community and connection to Country. It is a reminder that tradition is not static, it continues to grow, adapt and thrive through every brushstroke.

01 March 2022

Kelilah Ware — Milestone Moments in Contemporary Aboriginal Art

Over the past decade the Australian art world has changed significantly with more collectors discovering and purchasing Aboriginal art online. Platforms like Bluethumb have helped connect artists with audiences across Australia, increasing visibility for contemporary Indigenous art.

KT Aboriginal Fine Art is a South Australian Aboriginal women-led collective founded by Kelly Taylor alongside her daughters and three generations of family artists including Kelilah Ware. Together they continue a living tradition of storytelling through art.

A strong example of this dedication is Kelilah Taylor Ware’s recent trio of artworks. Many long weeks of hard work, focus and commitment went into creating this trifecta of pieces, reflecting her growth as an emerging contemporary Aboriginal artist and her deep connection to storytelling through art.

The rise of online platforms has made it easier for collectors to discover original Aboriginal artworks directly from artists. This has supported emerging artists like Kelilah Ware, helping share her work with a wider audience while remaining grounded in family and culture.

As demand grows for contemporary Aboriginal art in Australia, collectors are increasingly seeking authentic, story-rich artworks that reflect connection to Country and lived experience. At its heart this journey is about more than art sales — it is about keeping culture strong, supporting the next generation, and sharing stories that continue to evolve.

10 November 2020

T’keyah Ware — Bluethumb Art Prize 2020 Runner-Up

T’keyah Ware stands alongside her mother and mentor, Kelly Taylor, in front of her Bluethumb Art Prize 2020 finalist work, Great Grandmother’s Country.

One of the most special aspects of the Bluethumb Art Prize is the way it brings emerging artists into focus and celebrates new voices in contemporary art. New to Bluethumb, sisters T’keyah Ware and Kelilah Taylor-Ware, alongside their mother, artist and mentor Kelly Taylor, both earned places on the finalist shortlist, marking an exciting moment in their creative journey.

In a recent interview with Vogue, T’keyah spoke about the profound influence of her mother on her practice, describing Kelly as her mentor and guiding force. “She supports me 100 per cent,” T’keyah shared. “She teaches me lots of things like different symbols, why it’s important to be patient, which helps me produce beautiful paintings; she pushes me to be better each and every day which I am very grateful for!”

Together, their story reflects a powerful family connection through art, culture, and mentorship, one that continues to inspire and grow.

She supports me 100 per cent. She teaches me lots of things like different symbols, why it’s important to be patient, which helps me produce beautiful paintings; she pushes me to be better each and every day which I am very grateful for!
T’keyah Ware, in conversation with Vogue

View more of T’keyah’s work →

26 November 2020

Kelilah Ware — Bluethumb Art Prize 2020 Winner

The winning entry of the Abstract Award, Family Day Out by Kelilah Taylor-Ware, reflects a powerful continuation of family storytelling and connection to Country.

Growing up in Ceduna, Kelilah draws deeply on the influence of her great-grandmother, Millie Taylor, and her mother, Kelly Taylor, whose guidance and storytelling continue to shape her artistic practice. Her journey began by observing her mother and sister painting, where she learned foundational techniques and the importance of cultural narratives within her work. Over time, Kelilah has developed her own distinctive style, carrying forward family stories that speak to connection, Country, and lived experience.

Kelilah’s winning entry, Family Day Out, captures the joy of being on Country — spending time together as a family and gathering bush foods such as witchetty grubs, honey ants, and quandongs. Through symbolic visual language, she expresses these shared moments and deep connections to place.

The ‘U’ symbol in Family Day Out represents my family sitting around campsite. The footprints show us coming together, the bush foods are spread out in the centre, large circles represent waterholes, small circles represent rock holes.
Kelilah Ware, Bluethumb Art Prize 2020 Abstract Award Winner

Reflecting on her achievement, Kelilah shared her gratitude for the opportunity to take part in the Bluethumb Art Prize. “I would like to thank Bluethumb for the opportunity to enter this year’s prize,” she said. “A big thank you to my Mum who has taught me and my sisters about painting. Congratulations to all award winners as well!”

View more of Kelilah’s work →

08 December 2020

From Our Family to Yours: A Disney × Bluethumb Collaboration

KT Aboriginal Fine Art’s collaboration with Bluethumb and Disney celebrates family, storytelling and connection to Country. Inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Soul, the project invited artists to explore identity, purpose and creativity through contemporary Aboriginal art practice.

For KT Aboriginal Fine Art, working alongside Bluethumb and Disney highlights the power of intergenerational storytelling, where family remains at the centre of creation. The collaboration reflects shared values of narrative, culture and imagination, bringing together global audiences and First Nations perspectives.

It showcases how art can connect generations, honour tradition and share meaningful stories of life, spirit and connection across communities worldwide every single day.