Get to know my WHY
Hello 2021, it’s nice to see you.
Well wasn’t 2020 a year huh? To me it felt like an earthquake and every now and then we’d feel the after shocks. For some of us it’s been a total wipe out, for others it’s just chipping away under the surface rearing its ugly head when we least expect it.
But this is not a journal entry about Covid19. This is an insight into who I am, what I stand for and how that crosses over into my business. It’s no surprise to us First Nations people that it’s difficult to walk in two worlds. That in fact is not a new saying or challenge. It’s something we as First Nations people have had to overcome and adapt to for generations before my own.
What is new I have found, is the third world - social media. This is something very new to me and of course our people. It’s where the reality hits that we are the ancestors of tomorrow. I’m not sure about you but my elders are not overly across social media, though my Dad does like to drop that he’s trending after a few likes on his Facebook status. For the most part, we are navigating this big bad world peer to peer. We’ve got amazing representation on all platforms educating, creating and advocating. We to the naked eye are essentially thriving in this third world of social media. But what perhaps is a little harder to see is the friction between our online identity and our cultural identity.
Growing up, I didn’t see myself reflected in societies expression of what and who Aboriginal people and culture is. I saw people who didn’t look like me, didn’t sound like me, didn’t live where I live. I felt disconnected and less than. Of course now, I understand the diversity of our people, our sense of place and our identities. However, even as a 16 year old girl, with her father working interstate most of the time, I felt disconnected. Without deep diving into every little intersect of what makes me who I am today, I want you to know that my business was created as a way for me to be who I needed when I was younger. With social media, now more than ever, it’s important to use this tool for good. I have a love hate relationship with social media. On one hand it’s my most important marketing tool, but on the other it’s like a toxic ex-boyfriend. You know it’s bad, you know you need a break, but the smallest thing can pull you right back in. I would need a whole separate post about social media, the ins and outs, the toxic effects it has on your interpersonal relationships, the hunger for instant gratification and most recently the effects it has on human rights for better or worse. But instead I want to reflect on my position with social media and it’s direct link to my business. After all my account started as my professional art page and due to external expectations it’s morphed more into a version of myself that think they have to justify their every move and decision.
Usually I would assume for the most part that I’ve been quite clear in speaking from and on my own experiences, however with a rising social media platform, added pressure and critique, I want to come back to my personal and business WHY and share it with you.
Why did I want to start my business? Like I said I wanted to be who I needed when I was younger and my outlet for that was expressing myself through my art. I believe being an artist comes in many forms, through colour, composition, texture, written language and unfiltered thoughts. Art by definition is ‘the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.’
I have always wanted to run my own business because that’s what I saw my Dad doing. He had worked within businesses but I remember him saying to me he had to confine himself to their business principles, quickly reaching the limit of the change he could recreate under their roof and realising the impact he could make stepping out of their corporate shadow and into his own. I see a lot of myself in my Dad.
Who was it that I needed? Who I really needed when I was younger was someone who communicated in a way that I could understand. Someone who drew me in with emotion and explained things to me in a way that I could relate. Someone who now knew who they were, but grappled with their identity, their sense of place and someone who made it through. Someone like me.
Why Art? Art is an individual journey, there’s no right or wrong answer. It’s yours. It in many ways it’s my therapy. At least it was until it started dancing in the world of social media. Don’t get me wrong in many ways it’s a privilege to have somewhat of a social media following but it absolutely comes with its burdens. Which leads me to the burning question on everyone’s lurking eyes.
Why and how do I choose who I work for? Quick answer - based on our common values. Are they the same? Long answer – What are their values, do they align to my own? Does this job excite me? Do they respect me? Do I believe I can help create genuine change in my role? Will it be harmful if I do it, will it be harmful if I don’t? Does it represent the future I want to create? Are they paying me my worth (more on this further down) Would my family be proud of me? Is this helping my community? Is it my place to take on this job?
These are just a few questions I ask myself before taking on a job. It’s also important to understand that my business has a few different revenue streams. I make money as an individual brand, I am a trained commercial artist that works with different corporate businesses, and the more my work grows, the more me as an individual is a commodity. I know, yes that is weird to think about and something I often grapple with. However, whenever I feel a job may be a bit of a conflict for whatever reason, I always flag it with my Dad, my Pop and my trusted group of industry friends. Like I’ve been quite honest about before, there is a lot of work that goes into something before I even accept the job.
These conversations are a lot around, okay well if I take this job, why am I taking it. Is it better to have a seat at a table knowing I will think critically and challenge the status quo? Or is it better to not associate and potentially leave it open for that business to continue to unchallenged and perpetuate cultural harm. On this too, sometimes we underestimate the power of art and design and the role it can have on challenging business and creating change.
Why do I collaborate?
For me, collaborations are an incredible business deal for emerging artists. You are able to show case your art, build an audience, share your perspective all while having no overheads.
It’s a win, win. However, lets not forget completely the complexities of navigating this world and our cultural world. As a First Nations artists there are many protocols I need to insure I’m meeting creating work and making business deals. Like I’ve said previously, my work is an extension of my experiences as a modern/contemporary Goreng Goreng woman. I don’t create art based on sacred or dreamtime stories as these are not mine to profit off. I believe that working with mainstream businesses is my unique position to create change.
When I’m collaborating I look for products/brands that I genuinely love. How We Roll as an example, some people may question or have already questioned whether it’s appropriate or not. What I’ve learned is most people will have an opinion. If I’m not going to them for advice, then I’m not going to take onboard their critique. If my collaborations are okay by my Dad, my pop, and my close industry friends, then I know I am anchored in the right place.
Aside from looking for products that I love, I look to who makes up the brand and what good are they willing to create in this world. Brands that are sustainably conscious, female or First Nations led, or if they are willing to give back/pay it forward through our collaborations.
Why do I do sponsored posts on Instagram? This might be a point where a lot of people question my integrity. To be honest this is a very new thing for us mob. We haven’t been represented in this space for very long. For me though, sponsored posts are an easy way for me to supplement income from my brand. But this work allows me to give back to my community. This allows me to take on pro bono or low budget jobs for mob.
I think sometimes people may forget my Instagram page is my job, it’s my business. I have been pulled in a little deeper by demand and supply and probably share more than what I set out to share, but I at the end of the day am trying to create positive outcomes for myself, my family and my people. I am trying to create generational wealth because I’ve seen first hand what financial stress can do to your relationships and health. I will continue to try build a business that is bigger than myself. But for mob, if you’re reading this and you’ve either been for my success or against it for whatever reason, I am doing the best that I can and I will always continue to learn and call people in where possible.
Big love,
Rachael
