Words: Lara Pacillo // Photos: Compassion Squared
Compassion Squared is a business that thinks outside of the box. It brings art, fashion, and philanthropy together in a unique way of celebrating all three.
“We’ve been working a lot on how to describe it, but basically it’s an art initiative and a clothing brand, where each month we collaborate with a different artist to raise money for a different charity of their choice,” says co-owner, 25-year-old George Brake.
“While collaborating with the artists, they will produce an artwork which we’ll print onto a t-shirt in the form of a square, where the square symbolises combining the two powers of artists and charities.
“The artists then choose a charity, and 50 per cent of the profit from whatever it is we release goes towards that charity.
“On top of that, we’ve been hosting a fundraiser-type event every month where we sell the limited stock, but also have donated artwork for sale to raise extra money for the charity.”
We’re sitting with George at Carton Deli in Hindmarsh Square where the business held their first artist launch with visual artist Miles Dunne in December last year.
Since then, George and co-owner 26-year-old Seb Higham have worked with three other artists, each of whom gets a 25 per cent cut of the profit from their project. Stick and poke tattoo artist Amber Standley tattooed fruit and took film photography of it for the screen print design; digital artist and musician Maisie Gilchrist focused her design on the ‘Sad clown paradox’, which is a phenomenon of comedians who struggle with mental illness; and the latest feature multidisciplinary artist Dave Court showcased his usages of multiple media in his design.
While the artists and charities change each month, the concept of implementing a square on a garment remains constant where George says the square creates a simple limitation for the artist, but also provides infinite possibilities for creativity, similar to a canvas. It provokes the artist to use their skills in a unique way while also encouraging the concept of wearing art.
“Most artists don’t work on clothing, so it gives them an opportunity to do that and to use their art in a different way,” George says.
“And I think, from a consumer perspective, we’re trying to market the product as something that is a piece of art more than it is a piece of clothing. It encourages people to spend a bit of extra money and raise that money for charity at the same time. You’re buying proper artwork, and you’re putting your money to a good cause.
“We’re hoping to sort of encourage more of that culture among younger people – to give a little bit of what you’ve got to people who need more than you.”
So far, over $4000 has been donated to charity, where the past artists have selected Yalari, providing education for Indigenous children; Leif Justham, advocating for environmental and superannuation change; Lolly Jar Circus Inc, which is a social circus for people with and without disabilities; and Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.
The new charity focus each month driven by the artist brings their unique touch, but it also offers direction for those who want to give.
“We want to be able to support niche causes that you wouldn’t think to support,” George says.
“I think it can get overwhelming for people. There’s a lot of messed up stuff going on in the world – knowing where to put your money and knowing what to donate to can be tricky when there’s an infinite number of things you can do.
“This is sort of a way of just doing something different each time. It feels good to be doing something like that.”
Compassion Squared has also collaborated with a range of businesses in the process of creating the garment, and in the hospitality industry too, where artist launches have taken place at Gang Gang and The Olivia Hotel.
“That was the thing we realised after the first event, that there was a real opportunity to collaborate not just with artists and but also with hospitality workers, cafe owners, bar owners – things like that.
“It’s cool just bringing as many people together as possible to try to raise money for a good thing.”
Compassion Squared combines George’s passion for fashion, helping others, and supporting the arts scene; meanwhile, Seb is a gun at graphic design. The business thrives on each of their expertise. Seb is now based in Melbourne, where the stretch over borders will support the business’s goal to expand its talent focus and reach nationwide. George says there’s also more range in clothing pieces ahead.
“I’m very keen for us to diversify our product range and start getting more experimental with the kind of stuff that we do,” George says. “The idea is to build a community of people who want to support artists and charity, bring them together, and keep growing.”
Compassion Squared
