A 19 by 4 meter mural emphasizing conservation and sustainability was unveiled in Suva last week in celebration of World Environment Health Day.
Created by local artists Jack Eastgate, Hefrani Barnes, and Mele Nabola, the mural is part of an “Art for Change” initiative, a collaboration between Greenhouse Coworking and the Agence française de développement (AFD) Group.
Maria Ronna Luna Pastorizo-Sekiguchi, founder of Greenhouse Coworking and The Greenhouse Studio, expressed the company’s belief that art and creativity can transform communities and society through partnerships and collaboration.
“Art serves as a means to convey messages, shift perspectives, and inspire action, representing visual storytelling at its finest,” Ms. Sekiguchi stated. “Like us, the AFD Group recognizes the potential of art as a driver of change. We are thrilled to feature three local artists in our Art for Change initiative.”
The AFD Group is a French public organization that funds and executes impactful projects globally, collaborating closely with local stakeholders while aligning with sustainable development goals, encompassing economic, social, and environmental aspects.
In the Pacific region, AFD Group has prioritized actions against climate change, fostering the resilience of Pacific islands and their inhabitants, while also aiming to preserve biodiversity.
Elodie Vitalis, a representative of AFD Group in Fiji, noted that they are proud to partner with Greenhouse Coworking to promote awareness around conservation and climate change.
“When Greenhouse introduced this initiative, it perfectly aligned with AFD’s values and priorities, such as conservation, climate change, human development, and stewardship,” she commented. “It is also wonderful that this project supports the training of two young female artists devoted to fostering a sustainable future for Fiji.”
The vibrant mural painted on Greenhouse Coworking’s white wall at the intersection of Des Voeux Rd and McGregor Rd is envisioned as a “hopeful depiction” of what Fiji and the world should aspire to be.
Since its establishment in 2021, Greenhouse Coworking has aimed to display meaningful artwork on its exterior wall. Ms. Sekiguchi mentioned that they found an ideal partner in AFD, one of their own members.
As part of the Art for Change initiative, Greenhouse Coworking will provide the space free of charge for the three artists to conduct regular paid classes open to the public, focusing on utilizing visual arts to inspire change and advance social action.
“We welcome more partners to further collaborate on this initiative, as we envision expanding beyond just classes and murals,” she added.
Ms. Sekiguchi sees the potential for Des Voeux Rd to evolve into what she describes as The Arts Precinct in Suva, beginning from Mana Coffee, which already features a mural and artworks, extending to the Alliance Francaise and Baka Books.
“Guided Art Walks can be organized, along with ‘Nights at Des Voeux’ that could showcase and support diverse creative entrepreneurs, artists, performers, and even tattoo artists at a Night Market,” she suggested.