Kenneth Killeen graduated with a Diploma of Fine Art in 1977 and a Diploma of Education in 1981. He moved to Castlemaine in 1986, to teach art at Castlemaine Secondary College where he was Senior Art Co-ordinator, and implemented the Steiner Stream, which he runs.

In 1980, Ken had a sell-out show at his first solo exhibition at Christine Abrahams Gallery, Melbourne, and sold work to the National Gallery of Victoria. His early art was mostly coloured pencil drawings of feathers, sticks, stones and leaves, arranged into orderly patterns to resemble ‘secret script’. Ken became interested in Native American spiritual practices and trained with the Institute of Metaphysics, which led to his ordination and convening of the Castlemaine Johannine Community. More recent works are paintings of fish, snakes and reptiles for their layers of symbolic meaning especially in representing levels of initiation.

‘I am inspired by two primary sources, Nature and Spirit. The environment and beautiful natural objects I pick up in the bush reveal a mystery. I also seek to express my understanding of esoteric lore, and to illustrate sacred texts through symbols, that have many layers of meaning.’

Ken Killeen was President of Castlemaine Artists Inc in 1989 and 1990.