arts

First Nations stories told through art centre's collaboration with lifestyle brand

Phoebe Blogg Published April 25, 2025 at 3.15pm (AWST)

Michelle Lewis is one of six First Nations artists to be involved in the Kip&Co x Ernabella Arts Centre collaboration. (Image: Supplied/Ernabella Arts/Kip & Co)

Talented First Nations artists including Ernabella Arts Centre's Michelle Lewis have partnered with lifestyle brand Kip&Co on the brand's Kip&Co x Ernabella Arts collaboration.

The new collaboration brings together the artistry of Lewis and six other talented artists, celebrating culture, community, and creativity in a beautifully crafted collection.

Born in Ernabella in 1983 where she went to school and later worked at the Ernabella Clinic, Lewis is a rising star of the Ernabella Arts painting studio.

Her mother is senior artist Atipalku Intjalki and her father is master punu (wood) maker Adrian Intjalki. Her sisters Langaliki and Lynette Lewis are also both accomplished artists.

Having begun painting in 2017, Lewis quickly developed an individual style based around her father's country at Makiri, east of Ernabella.

Speaking on her involvement in the creative process, Lewis said the designs featured in the new collection are of great meaning, each reflecting stories of Country.

*Bedding designs featured in the new Kip&Co x Ernabella Arts collaboration. (Image: supplied)*

"These are our stories about our Country. My design is Tjala Dreaming. That is the story of the Honey Ant from my father's country," Lewis told Style Up.

"Everyone at Kip & Co is nice and helpful, they are always very friendly.

"We had a good time visiting them. They came to Ernabella with their families and we took lots of photos in the clothes at Wamikata (red sand dune near Ernabella)."

After heading to Melbourne to view the new collaborative collection, Lewis said it was both an exciting and rewarding experience.

"I went to Melbourne with my sisters Lynette and Langaliki and with our daughters to see all the new clothes and everything," she said.

"It was the first time the girls had been on a plane. The first time for all of us to go to Melbourne. It was exciting.

"We were all very happy to see the new clothes they look beautiful. I am happy to see my work now made as a table cloth and other things to use in the house. It looks rikina (fantastic)."

*First Nations artist Michelle Lewis. (Image: Supplied/ Ernabella Arts/ Kip & Co)*

As Australia's oldest continuously operating Indigenous Art Centre, Ernabella Arts has been a cornerstone of cultural storytelling and artistic excellence since 1948, with the Kip&Co x Ernabella Arts collaboration embodying a commitment to ethical and meaningful partnerships.

Developed over two years, the collection honours the craftsmanship, cultural heritage, and creativity of the Ernabella Arts artists, each piece reflecting their ancestral stories and deep connection to the land.

Kip&Co co-founder, Kate Heppell, said the brand was excited to showcase the second instalment of the collaboration.

"The artists and traditional owners generously allowed us to shoot the campaign on country, and it was so important to us to show the artworks amongst the surroundings that have inspired them," Heppell said.

"It's these moments in our Kip&Co journey that are the most important to us, we cherish these opportunities which move and shape us both creatively and as people.

"The response to our first collaboration was overwhelmingly positive, so we're extremely proud and excited to be able to share the next Kip&Co x Ernabella Arts collaboration with you."