A 19 x 4 metre mural highlighting conservation and sustainability was unveiled in Suva last week to mark World Environment Health Day.
Conceptualised and painted by three local artists, Jack Eastgate, Hefrani Barnes and Mele Nabola, the mural is an “Art for Change” collaboration between business facilitation facility Greenhouse Coworking and the Agence française de développement (AFD) Group.
Greenhouse Coworking and The Greenhouse Studio founder, Maria Ronna Luna Pastorizo-Sekiguchi shared the company’s belief that art and creativity driven by partnerships and collaboration can revolutionise entire communities, cities and societies.
“Using art to convey messages, transform perspectives and move people to action is visual storytelling in its highest form,” Ms Sekiguchi said.
“Like us, the AFD Group understood how powerful art can be as a catalyst for change. We’re so excited to have three of our local artists as part of our Art for Change Initiative.”
The AFD Group is a French public organisation that funds and manages impactful projects throughout the world, where they work hand in hand with local players, and align with their sustainable development choices (economic, social, and environmental) while constantly keeping in mind the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
In the Pacific, the AFD Group has a strong focus on limiting the impacts of climate change, preserving the resilience of Pacific islands and their people and protecting biodiversity.
AFD Group representative in Fiji, Elodie Vitalis said they are proud to partner with Greenhouse Coworking to raise awareness on conservation and climate change.
“When Greenhouse talked about this initiative, we found it to be a perfect opportunity to highlight the values and priorities AFD and the Pacific share, such as climate change, conservation, human development and stewardship,” she said.
“We are also thrilled that the project can support the training of two young female artists, who are both committed to a more sustainable future for Fiji,”
The splash of bright colours on Greenhouse Coworking’s white wall at the corner of Des Voeux Rd and McGreggor Rd in Suva’s upper CBD is what the partners believe would serve as “a hopeful depiction of the way Fiji and the world should be.”
Ms Sekiguchi said since opening its doors in 2021, Greenhouse Coworking had always planned to have meaningful artwork gracing their outside wall.
She said they have found the perfect partner in AFD, one of their very own members in the space.
Ms Sekiguchi said Greenhouse Coworking’s Art for Change initiative will also provide the venue free of charge for the three artists to hold regular paid classes open to the public on using visual arts to inspire change and as an opportunity for social action.
“We are open for more partners to collaborate on this initiative further as we can visualise it expanding to more than just classes and murals,” she said.
“We can see the whole of Des Voeux Rd turning into what I have been calling The Arts Precinct in Suva starting from Mana Coffee at the other end which already has a mural and paintings in-house, the Alliance Francaise, and even right up to Baka Books.
“Guided Art Walks can take place and we can have Nights at Des Voeux featuring and supporting all kinds of creativepreneurs, artists, visual artists, performing artists, tattoo artists, for a Night Market,” Ms Sekiguchi added.
