Blackwoods Catalogue: A Creative Aboriginal Touch

The Blackwoods range catalogue is an icon in Australian industry, often referred to as 'the big blue book' on worksites across the country.  And while this years' edition continues the tradition of having the biggest and best range of industrial and safety supplies, the front cover design is truly unique. 

The artwork for the 2021 edition of the catalogue has been created by Contemporary Australian-Aboriginal Artist, Bianca Gardiner-Dodd.

From her studio on the North Coast of Australia, Bianca creates art that reflects the coastal environment and surrounding elements of the landscapes she was raised in and continues to live in. 

"My art reflects the coastal environment and surrounding elements that I live in, the estuaries, the beach and the life that lives within it. Many of the symbols within my art represent my interpretation of coastal life, harmony and unity."

For the Blackwoods Range Catalogue, Bianca has taken her unique style and incorporated it into the Australian land in which we operate and our connection to the land, sea and water.

"Blackwoods is a big beast with a lot of moving parts so I wanted the piece to show that using a broad range of colours. I was thinking about the energy of the Blackwoods brand when I was creating this piece."

"There are elements representing different environments, from the beaches to the estuaries to caves and hills, symbolising Blackwood's footprint right across our country. The meeting places in the artwork represent Blackwoods branches and customer worksites across Australia from the cities to regional areas. The travelling lines represent the fact that Blackwoods is always keeping things moving."

"Most of my art is created on large canvases, so to see it appear on the front of a catalogue, especially one as significant as Blackwoods, it's been a really exciting project to work on."

Bianca’s mother, Gloria Gardiner is also a contemporary Aboriginal artist born in the Northern West NSW Aboriginal community of Goodooga, on the traditional lands of the Kamilaroi/ Gamilaroi people. Bianca's husband and children are Bundjalung, born on the East Tweed and Byron Coasts.

Blackwoods is committed to increasing Indigenous engagement across our business to better reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate.

See more of Bianca's work on The Culcha Collective Instagram and Facebook

Click below to find out how you can get your hands on a copy of the 2021 Blackwoods Range Catalogue featuring Bianca's artwork on the front cover.