THE FUTURE'S OUR CREATION
The future isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we create. The Future’s Our Creation is about shaping a better tomorrow by walking forward with purpose, connection, and hope. To bring this vision to life, we invited Kylie Monteleone, a proud Indigenous artist from the Western Arrernte people, to share her perspective on possibility.
The past, present, and future are connected—three meeting places that guide us on our journey. Through symbols of footprints, tracks, and connection to land and water, Kylie’s artwork reminds us that we never walk alone. The paths we forge are ours to create—strong, grounded, and filled with purpose - because the future is ours to create, together.
HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY FIND INSPIRATION?
As a Designer and Colour Consultant, the colours I apply are hugely important to my story telling and are inspired by such things as personal memories, landscapes and the simple foundations of design. I often use custom colours to tell the stories of my collectors and bring memories to life through the power of colour and cultural techniques. I work with acrylic paint on canvas or boards and vector (digital) art to be used commercially for corporations such as Sportsgirl. I work mostly on personal commissions for individuals and their families using traditional techniques to tell their personal story in a unique way.
TELL US ABOUT ARELHE CREATIVE
During a lock down with my Mum in 2020, I released something within me that had been waiting for the right time to shine. Having a creative outlet that allows me to connect with culture is a privilege I am grateful for. Leaning into my family heritage, I was lucky enough to be on country and create my own
bespoke colour range using the ground pigments from the earth. Each pigment tells its own colour story, known only to those who are invited to connect with it. These colours are used by my Mum and I to create paintings that tell the story of our country, and continue to inspire me with my own colour and design projects.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU WHEN CREATING THIS PIECE?
As ‘Arelhe’ is the Arrernte word for ‘woman’. I am a daughter, a sister and auntie and a mother of two daughters. For me, this piece was created by the feminine energy that runs strong in our genes. My great grandmother was taken from her family at a very young age. Her tenacity and strength to forge a path for her children is why we are here. In the spirit of her and the generations before me, I’m honored to connect with my past and draw learning from them to shed a brighter light on our futures.
WHAT DOES A FUTURE OF YOUR CREATION LOOK LIKE?
Our past is the foundation of our future, and the present is the opportunity we get to learn from it. Our past shares learnings, sacrifices and dreams for the next generation and beyond. If we take the time to be still and tap into our intuition, these stories present themselves in weird and wonderful ways making our future even brighter.
“The Future’s Our Creation”
We can only walk the path before us unless we forge our own. Our ancestors worked as one with the land to forge our future with strength, endurance and an undeniable connection to country.
Our past is the foundation of our future, and the present is the opportunity we get to learn from it. Our past shares learnings, sacrifices and dreams for the next generation and beyond. If we take the time to be still and tap into our intuition, these stories present themselves in weird and wonderful ways making our future even brighter.
This story shows the significance of our past, present and future (three meeting places) and how they are connected through one journey (path). Our path is solid, as we are supported by the earth beneath us. It is shown here in multiple shadows and different colours, representing the journey we take has once been walked before and that we are never alone. Several paths have been subtly layered as well to represent that we each walk into the future that we believe is best for us, expressing our own individual needs and destinies.
Our journey in life is surrounded by water and land which gives us life and abundance. As we walk the path of our lives, together with nature, we instill calmness, harmony and abundance in all things truly essential.
Elders from our past (marked up u-shapes / people shown in the smaller ‘past’ circle) are both above and beneath the meeting place of our past. They encompass themselves as people from the past and the land to which they returned in the present.
Ourselves are shown as one single ‘person’ (u shape) in our present meeting place (medium size circle). Living in the moment with no distractions allows us to make choices led by our intuition that will forge the best versions of ourselves for another tomorrow. This meeting place features several ‘clap sticks’ which are significant of ceremony, celebration and dance. Embodying the best parts of life today, sets our bodies, minds and hearts in a good place which I believe is an important skill to harness for a happy and authentic future.
The people we choose to surround ourselves with such as family and true friends are shown with ‘self’ in the future meeting place (largest circle). The hand prints represent a symbol of belonging, respect, and ownership for ourselves and the paths others choose for themselves. The hands are shadowed, signifying a set of two hands connecting through time, place and purpose.
The future meeting place is in the shape of a coolamon. The coolamon is a traditional aboriginal carrying vessel typically used by women to carry food or a small baby. The meaning of the coolamon is nurturing. It is in the act of providing for ourselves as for our loved ones. May our futures be nurtured with love and kindness.
Footprints represent the mark we leave behind as we walk upon the earth. Making a positive impact today will allow us to leave our footprint proudly. May the marks we leave behind shine with generous ideals, pride, curiosity and kindness.
Emus tracks feature as a way of sharing qualities we can learn from; they stand strong and are grounded. As they stand confidently on two feet, may we celebrate independence with the courage to honour our true selves.
The traveling kangaroo tracks represent the movement from a place and onward towards areas of hopes and dreams.
Eagle tracks are used as a way of representing their strong and tenacious traits, which can inspire us during times of adversity to keep our heads high and lift others.
This is an original design created exclusively for Sportsgirl by Kylie Monteleone.
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