About Us
Welcome to Cactus Collective Co!
Hi I'm Samara, driven by my
passion and love for our country. In 2021, me and my family embarked on a transformative
adventure, selling everything and loading our family into a caravan to travel Australia.
Our mission was simple—to expose our children to
the breathtaking wonders our beautiful country has to offer.
It was during these travels that inspiration
struck, igniting our passion to create something special. I envisioned
ethically sourced custom-made throw rugs that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living. We have teamed up with some amazing indigenous Artists and our designs draw inspiration from the mesmerizing landscapes of
Australia and the rich tapestry of traditional stories that weave through its
culture.
But our commitment extends beyond beautiful designs. We are dedicated to paving
a sustainable future, which is why all our rugs are crafted with 100% recycled
cotton sourced from pre-consumer waste. By repurposing fabric cut-offs from
other brands' apparel, we breathe new life into discarded materials, saving
tens of thousands of liters of water that would otherwise be used in cotton
cultivation.
To further minimize our environmental footprint, we deliver our items in
reusable tote bags and biodegradable packaging. But our efforts don't stop
there—every purchase you make contributes to a greater cause. For each item
sold, we proudly donate to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, working towards
the preservation of this natural wonder.
Versatile and stylish, our rugs serve multiple purposes, from elegant bed
covers to picturesque picnic throws and beach companions or simply a stunning piece of art work to showcase.
Cactus Collective Co
is the essential, eco-conscious choice for households seeking both
functionality and beauty.
Join us on this meaningful journey as we bring the essence of Australia into
your home, one sustainable rug at a time.
Welcome to Cactus Collective Co,
where style meets sustainability.
LEAH CUMMINS
Bunya Designs -
Yathi winja (Good day) My name is Leah Cummins, I am a proud Mayi woman from North-Western Queensland.
I find inspiration in my cultural identity and bring my stories of my country and people to life in my art. I paint of stories of strength for women and children, love of the land and all my people.
I pay respect to the ancestors who give me these stories in my creativity, to share my culture that transcends words and draws people into wanting to learn about First Nations people. I paint both traditional and contemporary art using storytelling in every art piece to educate and teach everyone of my people’s culture.
I hope to inspire and uplift my people by contributing to the sharing of culture and stories through my art. I want to share my love of my people with you.
As a proud Mayi woman from North Western Queensland I want to share my love of art and interpretation of empowerment of my people. I want to share all my piece with love and harmony
"Bunya Sister”
HOLLY MCLENNAN-BROWN
Koorie Tales -
My name is Holly and I am a proud Yorta Yorta woman and Artist. I've always had so much pride in my family, my country and my culture and I consider myself so grateful that through art I can share my pride with others. Though I grew up in the eastern suburbs of Naarm I have always kept a close connection with my Yorta Yorta country.
Previously working as a hairdresser I was encouraged to continue my artistic endeavours when I realised I could use my art as a tool to engage new people with my culture. Spending time in the salon gave me an interesting perspective into how others perceive my culture. Being a Yorta Yorta woman I realised the importance of sharing my own personal history as I felt people forgot that in fact, all of this land is Aboriginal Land. Sharing personal history that is closer to home than some imagine is eye opening. Conversations starting through an artistic lens, makes people perceptive to other conversations that may not have been had before. I love that it promotes education which then turns to understanding.
Creativity was always encouraged so strongly in my home by my mum growing up. I am an only child so i was lucky to spend many hours drawing, colouring and painting one on one with her. I remember dreaming so young to one day colour inside the lines so perfectly just like she did.
I spent a lot of time as a child at my grandparents house. My uncle (Adam McLennan) their son and my dads brother was an incredible Artist. He spent lots of time away when i was young and would mail his paintings to my Nan where she would manage him.
I remember bringing in the ladder from out the back, inside into the lounge. I would help roll out the canvases when they would arrive and a brilliance of colour would unfold. Pa would climb the ladder and would photograph them on Nans camera. Nan was famous for her camera back then, there wasn't a single place she wouldn't take it.
I was lucky to tag along with her to galleries where she would consult and see if it was the right fit. I would be left to walk around and admire the walls for as long as i could remember. To be surrounded by creativity and passion like that is still something i don't forget. I still remember many of those walls like it was yesterday.
My family celebrates and admires art so greatly. I feel lucky to be surrounded by people whose values are so aligned with mine.
I feel that my art is gentle and soft spoken.
Selfishly when i indulge in my paints, i feel safe. I feel still. It allows me to digest the outside world. Painting allows me to transform the feeling of happiness and love into a physical form of matter. But even more beautifully it allows my anxieties, my worries and my heartaches to run through me and come out the other-side light. No longer so heavy.
Holly xxx
HOLLY RYAN
Kutjarra -
Holly Ryan is a merging First Nations artist from the Mornington peninsula, VIC, who has had a passion for art since she was a little girl. Holly has recently started
showcasing her indigenous art to the public in order to learn and connect with
a culture that was taken from her, with the stolen generation forcing her
family to not know their heritage and tribe. They do know that, Hollys great
grandfather was ‘Jo Johnson’, the first indigenous man to play AFL. She uses
her passion for her culture and painting to express her emotions through
intuitive paintings on canvas, wood and digitally. Holly has worked with
various small indigenous owned businesses, and local netball clubs to bring more
awareness to indigenous rounds, and indigenous culture in her community.