Reading opens doors to future opportunity and choices
18th Jul 2023
De Lorenzo Collaborates with Indigenous Artist Jacinta-rai Ridgeway-Maahs for the launch of limited edition Instant Restructurant, supporting the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
Acrylic paint as her ink, canvas as her paper, proud Worimi woman and long-time De Lorenzo client, Jacinta-rai Ridgeway-Maahs shares her connection to country in beautiful contemporary styles for the Instant Restructurant prints collaboration, and in De Lorenzo’s support of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF).
The commissioned artworks will be featured across the 2022 Salon Christmas pack collections which includes Prescriptive Solutions, Instant Series, and Bond Defence, a Limited Edition Tote bag, and a Limited Edition Instant Restructurant with $2 from every bottle sold, donated to the ILF.
“In collaboration with Jacinta-rai we’ve learned that health & education are the two major areas of concerns for indigenous communities; we believe that the ILF has an impact on these rural communities, and most importantly all donations go back to these communities and aren’t absorbed by admin running costs,” says De Lorenzo Marketing Manager, Bridget Bajada.
“The ILF is a national charity working with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia. Community-led, they respond to requests from these communities for culturally relevant books, including early-learning board books, resources and programs to support the development of communities creating and publishing their stories in languages of their choice.”
Since 2011, the ILF has worked with over 400 remote communities, gifted 636,000 books, supplied 83 playgroups with early literacy Book Buzz resources and published 143 books reflecting 26 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
Artwork Inspiration for the Instant Restructurant packaging
For this painting the large rainbow symbolises the De Lorenzo community network and our journey through time learning to respect and understand what Mother Earth has provided for us - the realisation of how the intense power of nature shields us through healing, strength and protection whilst respecting country and acknowledging our First Nations peoples.
The smaller circles represent the matrix that connects us all. Walking together - each with a unique purpose - all connected through a powerful network of understanding and passion for nature, the environment and a strong and sustainable future - embracing the De Lorenzo philosophy and supporting our legacy as we work to a common goal.
The large circle encompassed by strong healthy foliage captures the beauty in our product and the strong shield of nature as she protects us from the elements as we work together, evolving and embracing growth, enhancing beauty and building strength.
Limited Edition Australian Botanicals
As a reflection of the beautiful artwork and storytelling, De Lorenzo have also adjusted the formulation to include Australian organic native ingredients:-
- Kakadu Plum Fruit extract
- Finger Lime Caviar
- Tasmanian Blue Gum Leaf extract
These ingredients will enhance the performance of the product with the fragrance remaining the same.
ILF Testimonials
“It is so lovely to see the excitement on children’s faces when they get to choose the book that they would like to keep as their very own. The books are always related to children’s interests and there is enough range in the topics for every child to find a book they would like to read, or ask somebody to read to them.”
Amanda Tootell, Coordinator Katherine Isolated Childrens Service
“Having stories read to children, sharing books in a group and reading to each other, introduces books to young people that may not have ever owned their own book. Having books available for adults as well and being able to introduce the idea of reading as a form of self-care and time out from worries and troubles is absolutely valuable. This is a fantastic program and we see the enormous impact it has on people when they walk away books tucked under arms.” Jo Warren, Team Leader Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service