The arts, from fine weaving to carving, plays an integral role in the Pacific Islands informal economy. Each Pacific Island nation has their own art forms drawn from their unique cultural history, natural resources and traditional skills passed down through the generations.
As an evolution of Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia’s Creative Industries program this year, PTI Australia partnered with Real Impact to revolutionise how the artisans’ skills of the Pacific Islands are brought into the Australian market.
The aim of the partnership is to build a pathway for these informal economies and the artisans behind them to generate a sustainable income through a meaningful, viable and export-ready creative industry.
Real Impact has been working with artisans across the Pacific Islands bringing together artisan skills with market-driven designs to produce Considered by Real – an inspiring collection of contemporary handcrafted homewares with a social conscience.
Virginia Bruce, CEO and founder of Real Impact, says, ‘we are currently working on the Pacific Project that is piloting with the four nations of Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
By collaborating with local artisans and their communities, Real Impact is building producer–retailer–consumer ecosystems to create a viable creative export industry. ‘While the Pacific countries don’t meet the typical investment profile, through a process of innovation, we have commissioned a range of products from handmade cane furniture, cushions and weaved baskets to printed artworks and wallpaper – all of which will have a positive ripple effect, creating new jobs and injecting much-needed funds into their communities.’
Trade and Investment Commissioner of PTI Australia, Caleb Jarvis, points out that the creative industries in the Pacific nations are an under-utilised asset.
‘The Pacific Islands have substantial economic potential, yet there are many inherent challenges that are impeding that development.
‘Real Impact has been brought onboard to break down those barriers to the market and to establish a viable supply chain that will enable these small nations deliver to international markets.’
Ms Bruce explains that the aim of Real Impact is to do more than simply source high-quality homewares.
‘Around 90 per cent of the economy in the Pacific Islands is informal, and is made up of incredible talent and creative artisans that up until now have had no understanding of what products they should be selling and who they should be selling to.
‘To complicate things further, these nations do not have the basic capabilities that first-world countries take for granted. We’re working to establish basic infrastructures within the supply chains, such as a system to transfer money to members of the community and operational support.
We’re combining aid with trade to build a pathway for the economy – and the people behind it.’
Real Impact worked with interiors and sourcing expert Kathrin Bruce from Water Tiger to identify the product lines that will appeal to the modern interiors industry.
She also employed a designer to work with local artisans to adapt traditional techniques to create new contemporary designs. Launched in Melbourne, the Considered by Real collection pilot was well received by retailers and distributors alike.
‘The industry reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. They are inspired by the stories of the artisans and how we’ve been able to translate their skills into contemporary homeware,’ Ms Bruce said.
‘The creative and design industries are always looking for new high-quality products, and Considered by Real is offering new products and materials to businesses that value good design while being considerate of social issues and natural resources. You can create new business opportunities while making a real impact for good.’
