Maliyan Fundraiser

Maliyan Fundraiser

Pigsuit Jarrod Stains

In July 2020, we were so grateful to introduce Pigsuit’s newest collaboration with our friend, Artist Jarrod Stains.

In light of recent events bringing on protest and demand for change of Australia’s backwards judicial system, standing in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement and turning our own sights to the unjust incarceration of Australia’s First Nations People, this wave brought on a new understanding of what allyship means, and how we can do our part to help.  Keeping traction and not losing momentum with this movement is important now, more than ever. 

Through despair, reflection and the understanding of our ability to help where and how we can, this project came to be. Our collaboration will donate 100% of the profits, divided equally between two organizations. Australia’s only national Aboriginal led justice coalition of legal, health and family violence prevention experts, and A bold not-for-profit organization creating a different future with First Nations children, families and communities experiencing the greatest levels of disadvantage.

We are thrilled to represent and work with Jarrod Stains, an Artist we have always admired for his surrealist use of colour, vivid storytelling and breathtaking Indigenous artworks.

Message from the Artist:

“I am Kamilaroi man and artist, raised in Brisbane. I began painting when I was 19, as a way to connect with my culture. My art is a reflection of my own feelings and experiences translated into images. My inspiration comes from my family and friends, everything I experience has made an impact on me. I strive to express this through the medium of painting

This piece is designed to represent the outside feeling of Indigenous people in ‘Australia’. The black bird represents being an Indigenous person and the Indigenous community. The black line surrounding the bird describes the separation felt by Indigenous people, it is designed specially to depict those in the prison system and how they are inside while white Australia remains outside, this feeling again extends to the community at large. The white painting inside the bird represents Indigenous elders and lawmakers, pillars of the community who are also excluded from the lawmakers of the country. We have still not been given a seat at the table.

The vertically running symbols represent Indigenous people and how it is possible to live outside of this system and be a part of the wider community of this country, not as tokens or to fill a diversity requirement but because their perspective is immensely helpful and important. These figures are painted as a spectrum of colours to show the depth of the indigenous people and that we are more than our stereotypes.”

We also gave our audience a small guide to what it means to wear Indigenous designs as non-Indigenous people. While there is no definitive answer about wearing Indigenous designs or artwork on clothing, one of the initial steps of allyship can be found through wearing and supporting Indigenous owned businesses or Artists. While a surface level approach, these steps encourage wearers to go deeper, to equip themselves with the history or the cause of the garment that is ready to start conversation on dismantling the system. We recognize that there are alternative opinions held throughout the community about wearing Indigenous artwork or designs as non-Indigenous people and we recommend our audience to be respectful and equipped with the knowledge and resources when making their decision in supporting.

 We were able to raise $1631.51 for Change the Record and $1631.51 to Childrens Ground, which was incredible!

 

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