Susan Wanji Wanji " Dig Print" Aboriginal Artist : cotton Apron - Fair trade

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Aboriginal Artist : Cotton Apron

Fair trade Made in Kashmir

Cotton Tea Towel - Digital Print - 62.5cm x 42.5cm

SKU : PSWA150CAPD

Artist: Susan Wanji Wanji

(Note owls apron shown for size of apron only)

2013 Telstra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award finalist Susan Wanji Wanji grew up in Maningrida and as a young girl learnt to make bark paintings and intricately woven mats and baskets. Susan has since a unique style that has influence from both Tiwi and Arnhem Land cultures. In 1992 Susan Wanji Wanji travelled to Paris representing Munupi Arts

The Indigenous Art Code is about a fair go for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists by administering a voluntary industry code of conduct known as ‘the Code’. The Code is a set of rules and guidelines that dealers commit to follow, to ensure ethical practices and fair treatment of indigenous Australian artists. Dealers must pass an assessment administered by the Indigenous Art Code to be a member and use the logo.

Better world arts are FAIR TRADE / Ethical practices ABOUT US

Better World Arts has been operating for over two decades. Our role models were Oxfam, Fred Hollows (the Fred Hollows Foundation) and Anita Roddick (The Body Shop).

Initially, we worked with traditional handicrafts. In 1996 we invited Aboriginal artists to join our projects and soon after decided to focus on the Aboriginal art side of the projects and left the normal handicrafts to others like Oxfam.

We work with traditional artisans .from remote regions in Kashmir, Peru, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Nepal (Tibetan refugees)More recently we have started working with China, making bone china and silk ties.

We unite the traditional handicrafts produced by cultures steeped in artisanal traditions with artwork from Australian Aboriginal artists from remote communities across Australia, from Arnhem Land to Central and the Western Desert regions, from rural locations and from cities. More lately we have started working with non indigenous Australian artists that represent quintessential Australian themes..

We are members of The Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand and we are endorsed by Fair Traders of Australia. So, what is the difference? To become a member of The Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand you simply pay a membership fee. In order to receive an endorsement as a Fair Trader of Australia, the business operations and practises are assessed and audited against the 10 principles of Fair Trade

In our most recent audit, we were assessed on our relationships with Aboriginal artists and other Aboriginal suppliers. All of our overseas suppliers are either certified as fair traders in their own right, have SEDEX certification or have passed a private audit. As well as external certifications many of the workers involved in our manufacture are unionised and use their unions effectively to leverage their rights and conditions as workers. Valuing partnerships and ethical trading is at the heart of Better World Arts Cross-Cultural Projects. Fair Trade is about constructive economic empowerment, equal relationships and justice, not charity dependence. Sustainable trade delivers reliable livelihoods to all participants. We create opportunities and give indigenous artists and artisans access to international markets and the mainstream economy, directly contributing to community empowerment and the preservation of culture.

STEP 1

We start with a painting which is chosen because of its quality of design and colour and the ability of the image to translate into a different medium. Some images will work in the medium of chain stitch, some on lacquer ware and others are perfect for printing onto bone china. Very few images will work on everything.

STEP 2

Once the samples are done and we can see that they will work we place an order. We normally order between 3 to 15 different designs depending on the product. We need to create a critical mass of product and design. On rare occasions a design won’t work that well, even with a second attempt at making samples. At that point we will simply use a different design.

How do communities benefit?

Aboriginal communities from remote Australia have limited opportunities to engage in the mainstream economy in culturally appropriate ways. English is usually their 2nd or 3rd language, or not spoken at all. Aboriginal communities suffer a high level of disadvantage. Better World Arts has made payments directly to artists and art centres that now totals in the millions of dollars. This money goes directly into artists’ pockets. Better World Arts continues to build upon the skills Aboriginal people have and turn these into cash that is regular and sustained.

Handicraft communities benefit economically and culturally. Again, these villages are usually remote and opportunities to earn cash are limited. Artisans are employed in rural tasks that are seasonal and vulnerable to good and bad weather cycles, pests and other problems that all farmers face. A strong handicraft industry alleviates the peaks and troughs in work load and cash returns, and provides income insurance for families. The handicrafts themselves are unique to particular regions.

The artisanal works we create benefit two communities, the Aboriginal artists communities and the artisans communities. The artists have the opportunity to make an income from the sale of artisanal goods, after they have sold the painting. Their income over the period of production is often more than they recieved from the sale of the original artwork. Both communities have intellectual property rights within each product. The artists have IP rights to their images and the artisans have IP rights to their regional crafts. Both communities have a steady income from these projects.

Aboriginal people are interested in their own cultural activities, not that of other ethnic groups. We are also very interested in Intellectual Property (IP) and the handicrafts we work with are the IP of the communities and geographic locations they come from.

Artists get royalties when their designs are used. We pay generous royalties at the beginning of each month, and do not know of any other company that pays more than us. The income stream that royalties provide to artists is significant and sustained. Artists can receive an income over many years, value adding to the original painting. It is normal for a design used to pay out many times the cash received for the original painting. When an artist passes away the royalties are then paid to next of kin which usually consists of a group of people.

Made in Remote villages in Kashmier

Many of the artisanal groups with are unionized and determine standardized pricing and practices and influence business outcomes through this process. In other places they are part of a fair trade certified organsiation. One way or another, in each individual __cpLocation, artisans are empowered to determine their working conditions and returns. There are no gender differences either. The same work receives the same payment regardless of gender.

No, child labour is not involved in any of our projects. Many children are advantaged in the artisanal communities, not only by the income received, but because the handicrafts often allow their parents to work from homes where child care is not needed. We don’t think child care is bad, but having family around all the time strengthens communities and creates a fulfilling lifestyle, plus it is a significant expense saved.

STEP 3

For example, lacquer ware requires making the pulp from recycled paper, moulding and shaping the boxes or Christmas balls, drawing the design onto the moulded item, and hand painting the design onto the dried mouldings. After the paint has dried the finished boxes and balls are varnished, one side at a time.

STEP 4

Chain stitch cushions and rugs require spinning and hand dying the wool, drawing the design onto the base cloth, embroidering the design by hand and then making up the actual cushion cover after washing the finished embroidered cloth in the nearby stream.

STEP 5

Finished orders are loaded onto container ships and sent to us.