Page 33 - Tropic Magazine Issue 33

TROPIC • ARTS

National platforms

PARTNERSHIPS
Three local artists have been collaborating with
some big Australian brands, showcasing their
works to both national and global markets.
Words: Annabel Bowles

Elverina Johnson x Taking Shape
Yarrabah artist Elverina Johnson is releasing a new set of
Andrea Huelin x Four Pillars Gin threads with plus-sized clothing label, Taking Shape.
In the Yarra Valley distillery’s own words, Andrea Huelin’s art on Currently designing the collection, Elverina’s signature style of
the new Four Pillars Christmas Gin “encapsulates the unbridled bright, neon-like colours and distinctive shapes will feature on
joy of a big Aussie Christmas lunch.” Featuring colourful apparel available in more than 120 Australian stores from May,
glassware (a frequent subject matter in Andrea’s paintings), as well as online to a United Kingdom market. Living true to her
shiny bon bons, cherries, prawns, and of course, an enormous Gungganji name, Bunya Badjil (‘good woman’), the collaboration
passionfruit-topped pavlova, the vibrant still life is as much a is close to Elverina’s heart. “I am very proud to be involved with
gift of collectable art as it is a delicious tipple. Painting with oils a company that values women of all shapes and sizes with their
allows Andrea to elevate the intensity and sparkle of traditional beautiful clothing line,” she said. “I always shopped at Taking
household objects, enhancing their “lustrous surfaces – Shape not knowing that one day I would have my own line
the thing that’s hard to describe about a piece of fruit when in the same store I bought from.” The collection will include
you cut it in half.” She is represented by the Michael Reid dresses, tops, leggings, dusters and jackets, as well as scarves,
Contemporary Art Galleries in both Sydney and Berlin. headscarves, tote bags, tea towels, key rings, and glasses cases.

MORE: andreahuelin.com FACEBOOK: Elverina Johnson Artist

Melanie Hava x Maxwell & Williams
One of Australia’s leading and longest-standing homeware brands, Maxwell
& Williams, has partnered with Cairns’ own Melanie Hava on a collection of
coasters, mugs, water bottles and tea towels. A proud Mamu woman with
Dugul-barra and Wari-barra heritage, Melanie – who is profoundly deaf –
was drawn to art’s safe haven from a young age. Her Maxwell & Williams
range features enchanting landscapes of native animals in their natural
reef and rainforest environments. Melanie’s work is bold, detailed, and
bursting with kaleidoscopes of colour, while at the same time reflective of
nature’s intrinsic sense of quiet.

MORE: artofmelaniehava.com

33 • tropicnow.com.au