Entertainment
10 October, 2024
Deadly arts and office combo
A COLLABORATION between Cairns’ Aboriginal artist Jedess Hudson, Indigenous manufacturer YINDI and Officeworks has launched a deadly collection of furniture to incorporate art and culture into the office.
This epic collaboration of First Nation powerhouses with Indigenous Australian office furniture manufacturer YINDI Manufacturing and patterned fabrics designs by Aboriginal artist from Earlville Jedess Hudson is bringing Indigenous art and culture into the Australian corporate world.
The range of ergonomic chairs sold through Officeworks starts from $269 and are also uniquely upholstered by Brendan Ward-Anning, a Yidindji man from FNQ.
Currently available Australia-wide, this project was a goal for Ms Hudson.
“There was a lot of back and forward on what it (the collection) was going to be, what it would represent and the whole intention was to create a design that was iconically Australian culture,” she said.
“We weren’t sure people were ready for something very colourful in a national store, so we decided to go with black and white, simple, and ease ourselves into it.
“The design represents the basalt stone, which is an Australian volcanic stone found all across Australia and we wanted to create something people could recognise; this stone is used to cook food in the ground and the bubbles represent the reflection from the sun and the light within us.
“When we go on Country it provides us with so much inspiration and this collection is not just about me as an individual but thousands of years of culture and how we translate it into artistic form.”
Ms Hudson, who’s a descendant of the Ewamian and Western Yalanji people, wants this opportunity to open more doors for other Aboriginal artists.
“As artists it’s always a dream to have our art displayed and showcased on a national scale and this is important – it’s about representation and visibility,” she said.
“I want other mobs to see that there are opportunities for them in all different business spaces.
“By Officeworks being open to having Indigenous perspectives and art incorporated, it’s like two worlds colliding and seeing culture show up in places that for a long time wasn’t the norm.”
Officeworks described the partnership as striving to elevate Indigenous businesses to a national stage, significantly contributing to community development.
To purchase the online-only YINDI X Jedess Hudson range, visit www.officeworks.com.au
