Kmart has partnered with Wiradjuri artist Judith Young (pictured) to recreate its entire home range with a new collection celebrating First Nations people and culture.
Launching in-store and online from March 6, the collection sits across bedding, home décor, living and dining and is a business-first for Kmart’s home range.
Young designed the range to honour her family, paying tribute to the creative gifts passed down by her Mum (Judith Williams nee Johnson) and Dad (Kevin Williams).
Speaking on the collaboration, Young said the opportunity will impact First Nations people across the country, which buoyed her to take part.
“The deeper reason is that I felt that it was the right thing to do; from the first meeting, the atmosphere in the head office with the design team set the flow for the entire collection."
Young said working with a large company was a new experience for her, as well as a challenge. She guided the Kmart team on icons and elements, long-standing family traditions, the importance of certain colours, markings and their meanings, as well as physical items that Judith sourced from her country.
“The design team had respect not just for the image, but the story, and helped make it an easier process, as I did have some challenges with trust and getting out of my comfort zone. But to see how they were really careful when considering each marking, colour and every component was incredible.
“I felt respected and know that my story and that of my family has been honoured.”
Kmart GM of corporate affairs and sustainability Tracie Walker said her company is striving to be a trusted and credible partner of First Nations People.
“This involves continuing to be guided in our actions by listening to the voices and advice of First Nations People, which includes our own First Nations team members along with community leaders, our First Nations-owned suppliers and business partners,” Walker said.
“This partnership plays a big role in this program, allowing us to celebrate and promote the true diversity of First Nations culture and intellectual property in the arts.”
Young said she wanted people to know her work is about health, healing, joy and peace, speaking to the importance of healthy minds, bodies and spirit.
“This comes from connecting with country, eating well and listening to your surroundings," Young said.
“The collection is about covering yourself in a healthy way of living, from what you eat, drink, wear, and sleep under. The leaves represented in the art are symbolic of the Waluwin way and each leaf represents something different.
“Many Aboriginal people around this country will all have different varieties of plants and trees that they use to make them well and that is part of the diverse story we have as Aboriginal people.
“We are all different, our artwork and stories are different, and each has deep significance, just as my markings have meaning to me and my family.”