The name Thorny Arts comes from the commonly known thorny devil lizard (Moloch horridus), which is known as the Mountain Devil Lizard by Anmatyerre people. This lizard belongs to a Dreamtime story for which Raymond Walters Japanangka’s late grandmother was a custodian. Raymond’s extended relatives of Alhalkerre - Atnangkerre (Boundary Bore) whom are also custodians paint this dreaming, well known Aboriginal artist Kathleen and Gloria Petyerre who are his aunties. Alhalkerre - Atnangkerre is a small remote Aboriginal Community 300km North East of Alice Springs, known for its Utopian artist and the Contemporary Aboriginal Art movement in the early 1980’s.

Thorny Arts began in 2006 and is a registered Aboriginal Art business managed and operated by Raymond Walters Japanangka.

The opportunity for Raymond to pursue an Aboriginal Art career and business began with an invitation from Raymond’s good friend and mentor John Van Groningen, founder of the Red Dust Role Models. Raymond was invited to run an Aboriginal Art workshop for corporate staff and Red Dust Role Models. It was during this period an opportunity presented itself for Raymond to hold his very first Solo Aboriginal Art Exhibition at the well renowned Artist in Residence Program situated in the Ayers Rock Resort “Sails in the Deserts”, Mulgara Gallery (Uluru). After having a successful exhibition, Raymond has been asked back 3 times since, having his last exhibition September 2008 selling to buyers worldwide.

Thorny Arts has developed as an Authentic Aboriginal Art business, emphasizing the importance for Aboriginal people to own and manage by their businesses.

Raymond is passionate about the empowerment of his people and uses and shares his successes with other Aboriginal artist, Students, and other Indigenous and non – Indigenous people.