As many Australian architects begin to integrate more First Nations art and design into our built environments, they encounter a range of considerations. The ethical procurement of designs and / or products is paramount, as is the foregrounding of First Nations cultures and perspectives.
It’s against this backdrop that provider of high-quality acoustic solutions, Autex Acoustics, has collaborated with profit-for-purpose business Willie Weston to develop a new collection of acoustic panelling featuring stunning designs by First Nations artists.
Operating out of Naarm / Melbourne, Willie Weston works in partnership with First Nations artists to support the integration of contemporary First Nations design into the built environment. The brand translates original artworks into repeating designs for fabrics, wallpapers, floor coverings and now – acoustic products. A member of the Indigenous Art Code, which works to preserve and promote ethical trade in First Nations art, Willie Weston ensures that First Nations artists are fairly paid for every product made incorporating their designs. With backgrounds as curators and arts managers in the First Nations and contemporary art sector respectively, co-founders Jessica Booth and Laetitia Prunetti bring a wealth of knowledge and a passion for advocating for artists to the business.
The Autex Acoustics x Willie Weston range is curated for commercial, education, government, hospitality and office spaces. The range comprises eight designs (one each from eight artists) in 21 colourways to create a versatile offering to suit any aesthetic. Each design is printed upon either Cube™ or Quietspace® Panel, two of Autex’s flagship noise-reduction treatments manufactured locally in Australia and New Zealand. You can also rest assured knowing the collection is entirely carbon neutral due to the business having balanced all emissions from their acoustic products and global operations to zero since 2022.
But perhaps the best part of this collection is knowing that by purchasing an acoustic product featuring a Willie Weston design, you will be supporting First Nations artists and the remote communities they live and work in. Check out the collection and see how you can incorporate stunning First Nations art with acoustic benefits into your next project.
