Interview with Crystal Thomas of North, non-profit company
North is an Australian non-profit funding mission homewares and a clothing label that supports Indigenous textile designers. North creates Australian made pieces of exceptional quality and beauty using hand screen printed fabrics and prints sourced from art centres in remote Indigenous communities in Tiwi Country, Kunwinjku Country, Anindilyakwa Country and Walpiri Country. Every country has its own unique style and the artists create
beautiful textures and patterns. All North’s collections are sustainably produced, from bush dyed textiles crafted by hand, to digital printing using vegetable-based dyes.
What inspired you in creating this non-profit? The mission of NORTH was to facilitate the economic agency of remote Aboriginal artists and art centres by generating business and creating meaningful employment opportunities on-country. The artists we collaborate with create textiles of exceptional quality and beauty and the inspiration behind NORTH was to create a platform to showcase artists' work and to introduce the skills and capabilities of Indigenous textile artists to the high-end Australian design market. How do you make sure that the artists are not exploited? Throughout our interactions, we aim to strengthen community pride and agency. We partner with Aboriginal corporations (art centres) which play a critical role in remote Aboriginal communities as a source of income, place of cultural exchange and gatekeeper to ensure fair treatment and payment for Artists within the community. Additionally, artists collaborating with North have agency through participation and representation in leadership and decision-making processes. Recognising the skill of all Aboriginal contributors through employment, participation and accessibility and fostering ownership and pride all projects.