“Miyurna, yarta, ngadlu tampinthi” are Kaurna words meaning “we recognise the people and their land”.
Aboriginal Art is believed to be the oldest continuing tradition of art in the world.[1] The diverse group of artists who make up the community range in ages – from teenagers to community elders – to locations – remote desert regions, tropical islands and tiny coastal communities.[2] Many of these artists possess extraordinary talent for composition, colour and visual storytelling, using their skills to focus on sacred stories, or reflect on broader life experiences.[3] One of the artists behind the design of Sustain’s Indigenous Coffee Cups is Allan Sumner.
Allan is a descendant of three Aboriginal peoples being the Ngarrindjeri people from the lower river and lakes of the Murray River along the Coorong, the Adelaide plains Kaurna people and the Yankunytjatjara people from central Australia. Passionate about his culture and people, Sumner focuses on learning the stories passed down generations from his elders. Using a variety of colours and tones found in our natural environments, Allan blends dot work into various patterns to evoke movement and mesmerise the eye. Mainly painting acrylics on canvas, his art can be found on boomerangs, didgeridoos, emu eggs and now cups.[4]
Sustain’s Indigenous cup range is sourced through our partnerships with Supply Nation certified suppliers. As part of CCAB’s ‘Coffee Cup Initiative’, these disposable coffee cups are printed with Indigenous designs, including one by Allan Sumner, to act as a conversation starter surrounding supplier diversity and encourage corporations to engage with Indigenous business and communities. By selecting these products you are supporting Indigenous businesses.[5]
[1] http://www.artsdaustralie.com/en/art-australien-aborigene.php
[2]https://japingkaaboriginalart.com/artists/#:~:text=It’s%20hard%20to%20imagine%20a,mediums%20within%20the%20same%20community.
[3]https://japingkaaboriginalart.com/artists/#:~:text=It’s%20hard%20to%20imagine%20a,mediums%20within%20the%20same%20community.
[4] https://www.weekendnotes.com/aboriginal-cultural-awareness-workshop/
[5] https://shop.bunzl.com.au/corporateresponsibility-cms-corporateresponsibility
