At Art Pharmacy, our practice is grounded in a strong commitment to representation and equity.
We prioritise inclusive representation across all collections, working with artists from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. This includes First Nations artists, culturally and linguistically diverse artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, artists with disability, and emerging or underrepresented practitioners.
Self-identification is always respected, and we seek community guidance where culturally appropriate. We are committed to ensuring all artists feel safe, respected, and meaningfully represented.
We support this approach through partnerships with organisations such as Studio A and art centres like Ernabella Arts, which are central to the development of our projects. By collaborating directly with artists and art centres, we help create collections that support visibility and professional development for underrepresented communities.
We aim to curate collections that go beyond filling space. In workplace environments, art can shape culture, reinforce values, and foster a more inclusive atmosphere.
The Barangaroo project, Yarns Beneath the Gumtrees, exemplifies how diverse voices and artistic practices can transform corporate spaces and broaden the narratives we value.
While the collection explores themes of landscape, resilience, and connection, its deeper impact lies in the diverse voices it brings into the space.
Artists such as Catherine McGuinness, through Studio A, and Janice Stanley, through Ernabella Arts, contribute distinct perspectives shaped by their own experiences, cultural backgrounds, and creative practices. By placing these works within a corporate environment, we help broaden the narratives that are visible and valued in everyday professional spaces.
Partnerships with Studio A and Ernabella Arts highlight the importance of empowering underrepresented artists and fostering creative communities that celebrate diversity, culture, and inclusion.
Studio A, based in Sydney, empowers artists with disabilities to develop their creative careers. Through mentorship and advocacy programs, Studio A has a number of opportunities for artists to exhibit and commission their work. Studio A plays a vital role in creating an equitable art community, ensuring artists of all abilities are recognised and valued for their contributions.
Ernabella Arts, located in Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in South Australia, is Australia’s oldest continuously running Indigenous art centre. Aboriginal-owned and governed, the studio supports Anangu artists to share stories, culture, and connection to Country through a range of mediums, including painting, ceramics, textiles, and printmaking. Their work is deeply rooted in community, tradition, and intergenerational knowledge.
A critical part of our process is the ethical sourcing of Indigenous artworks, ensuring fair representation, proper credit, and economic support for artists.
We prioritise working directly with Aboriginal-owned and governed art centres, ensuring that artists are fairly represented, properly credited, and economically supported.
Art centres such as Ernabella Arts play a vital role in maintaining cultural knowledge, supporting intergenerational practices, and providing sustainable income for artists and their communities. By working through these centres, we can ensure authenticity, transparency, and respect are embedded in our collections.
For us, curating a space is not just about selecting artworks; it is about shaping supportive environments that are inclusive and equitable.
By supporting diverse artists and working ethically with communities, we aim to challenge traditional structures within the art world and expand access to art for communities.
Creating meaningful and impactful change in local communities is central to our mission. We want to ensure that art is accessible to everyone, everywhere. Through thoughtful curation, corporate collections become more than just a decorative addition to the office; they become platforms for representation, understanding, and connection in the workplace.
About Art Pharmacy
Art Pharmacy is a B Corp-certified art consultancy working with developers, architects and government agencies to deliver public art strategies, artist commissions and integrated cultural programs.
We specialise in embedding art into major developments, public spaces, transport infrastructure, and commercial buildings.
Resources
To learn more about some of the organisations we partner with, visit Studio A and Ernabella Arts.
Article by Josie Lawrence