Willie Weston respectfully acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people as the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and future. We celebrate and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.
FAIR AND EQUITABLE PAYMENTS TO ARTISTS
Willie Weston exists to provide meaningful income for artists, often living in remote places. Fair and equitable payments have always been at the core of our business.
We pay artists a fee for every metre of fabric or wallpaper produced, rather than a one-off licensing fee. These fees are paid quarterly based on the meterage sold by each artist in that quarter.
In addition to licensing fees, we also have a profit share arrangement with the artists we work with, whereby we return to them a percentage of our net profits at the end of each financial year, based on their sales for the preceding year. Since FY2021, we have paid 30% of our net profits annually to our partner artists.
As Willie Weston grows, we are committed to building on the financial returns made to the artists we are so lucky to work with.
INDIGENOUS CULTURAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (ICIP)
Willie Weston designs are based on original artworks by First Nations artists. They may embody traditional knowledge of the artist’s community. Through best practice legal agreements, Willie Weston has been authorised by the artists and / or their representatives (if deceased) to adapt and reproduce these artworks on our fabrics, wallpapers and other interior products. Dealing with any part of the design for any purpose that has not been authorised by the artist is a serious breach of customary laws of First Nations communities and may also breach the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth).
INDIGENOUS ART CODE
Willie Weston is a member of the Indigenous Art Code, an organisation that works to preserve and promote ethical trade in First Nations art. Our membership signifies our commitment to building strong, ethical and sustainable First Nations art commerce and to ending exploitation, which takes advantage of artists and negatively impacts communities.
LOCAL PRODUCTION
Willie Weston believes in supporting Australian manufacturing. The majority of our fabrics and all of our wallpapers are printed locally, which not only enables us superior quality control and short lead times, but also contributes to the viability of local production.
SUSTAINABILITY
All Willie Weston fabrics and wallpapers are printed to order, eliminating wastage. We print with water-based inks, meaning there is no excess ink to be disposed of, or any water used during production. No harmful chemicals are used in in the creation of our products.
Our products are shipped using a certified carbon neutral courier company and in recycled plastic wrap. We continually work to minimise our impact through recycling and elimination of single use materials wherever possible.