Art competition spreads the fair trade message

ANYONE who has a knack for art, be it photography, painting, digital media, drawing, collage or textiles, is invited to take part in an art competition organised by Moral Fairground to spread the word about fair trade.

Submissions can be made to either of three categories: primary, high schools and university students; organisations; and the general public. The only criteria is that artwork needs to reflect what fair trade means to you and contain a positive message.

The competition closes April 30 and organisers will shortlist a maximum of seven entries from each category, which will be displayed at Queen Victoria Market as part of the Fair Trade Fortnight from May 7 to 22.

There will also be a special People’s Choice award, which would be decided through the public’s vote during the exhibition.The judging panel will be made up of prominent artists and individuals working in fair trade related industries, and the winner of each category will receive a $500 prize.

Winners will be announced on the last day of the Fair Trade Fortnight on May 22, during the Victorian Fair Trade Festival at Queen Victoria Market. Participants can also check the results online at www.moralfairground.com.au.

Organiser Susanna Bevilacqua said that there were many ways through which people could express their support for fair trade.

“Buying a fair trade product is one of them, but art can bring a different perspective to what fair trade means to people,” she said.

She said Moral Fairground ran a program with RMIT textile students last year, and students were given the task of digitally designing textile depicting images of fair trade.

“It was amazing what came out of the project, so we wanted to open it up to everyone and create a real hype around fair trade. The great thing about this activity is that we don’t have many restriction in terms of art and craft mediums, so people can get really creative about the whole thing.”

Fair Trade Fortnight is a global event celebrating the fair trade movement, campaigning for justice in trade practices, as well as promoting sustainable environment and social responsibility. The event will be asking business, campaigners, consumers, and organisations to showcase their shift to fair trade, be it at work, home or online; and encourage those who have not swapped to fair trade to do so.

Visit Moral Fairground’s website for details of the art competition and other fair trade events.