Iconic Australian bootmaker R.M.Williams is strengthening its long-standing commitment to quality by becoming a major champion for the nation's artists and craftspeople.
A Legacy of Craft Expands to the Arts
Since its foundation, R.M.Williams has been dedicated to superior craftsmanship. This ethos has now evolved into a powerful mission to support the wider Australian creative community.
Through initiatives like its artist-in-residence program and strategic partnerships with local florists and designers, the brand is actively lifting the profile of homegrown talent. It provides a vital platform for artists to showcase their work and reach new audiences.
Partnerships and Platforms for Local Talent
Daniella Raskin, a marketing spokeswoman for R.M.Williams, highlighted the brand's collaboration with arts consultancy Arts-Matter. This partnership has created a unique opportunity for seven local artists to display their works over the past two years.
Their creations have been featured in the brand's flagship store on George St, Sydney, turning the retail space into a dynamic gallery.
"At its heart, R.M.Williams has always been about connection to land, to craft and to people," Ms Raskin said, emphasising the brand's genuine commitment to celebrating creativity and the creation of "something lasting and meaningful".
Artist in Residence Sees Direct Impact
The current artist-in-residence, Orson Heidrich, has experienced the benefits of this patronage firsthand. He confirmed that the program has allowed him to expand his audience and provided crucial support for the production of new works.
His exhibition, titled Main Last, presents his interpretation of the industrial spaces of clothing production, juxtaposed with the bushland of the Adelaide Plains' Kaurna people.
"Speaking with the master craftspeople in the R.M.Williams workshop, I was struck by their love for the craft and the care they put into producing each pair of boots – many having worked there for 20, 30, even 40 years," Mr Heidrich shared.
He went on to describe the brand as "one of the final bastions of Australian manufacturing where craft and attention to detail are still deeply valued."
This article is part of the Back Australia series, which is supported by Australian Made, Harvey Norman, Westpac, Bunnings, Coles, TechnologyOne, REA Group, Cadbury, R.M.Williams, Qantas, Vodafone and BHP.
