BioPak has partnered with Melbourne-based social enterprise Open Canvas to launch a new compostable coffee cups range.
The BioCup Art Series will feature artwork on its cups from Australian artists facing homelessness in an effort to combat the stigma surrounding homelessness.
Open Canvas Founder Dan Rath says the artwork featured on the cups depicts the beauty of nature and the environment.
“For a long time, coffee cups and homelessness have only been linked through the visions of a homeless person begging for spare change,” he says. “This partnership turns that stereotype on its head – BioPak Art Series coffee cups are allowing our artists to showcase their work to a national audience in a unique way.”
Artwork highlighted by the line includes Brian Marshall’s Otway Coastline, Renata Bruynzeel’s Weedy Sea Dragons, David Parkinson’s Birds, Irene Hwang’s Feathers, Patrick Francis’s Hawkand Charmaine Tracey’s Desert Dreaming.
Open Canvas was created to empower disadvantaged artists and help them earn an income from their art.
“All Open Canvas artists, whether they have experienced homelessness, addiction, mental health issues or disability, are united in their desire to be recognised through their art,” Dan says.
BioPak Founder Richard Fine says the company is proud to support and promote the arts community with the BioCup Art Series.
“We seek out artists who explore environmental themes at the core of their practice,” Richard says. “We know that the cups engage coffee drinkers across the country with this changing series. The cups feature art that looks at sustainability issues, from what is involved in building a house, to the beauty of Australian bush flowers or the urban environment.”
For more information on the BioCup Art Series visit http://www.biopak.com.au/support/art-series-artists