Even though Bondi is currently in the news for all the wrong reasons, for Leah Albert the beachside suburb is the inspiration for her business, Streetart Society.
Launched in 2018 as a side hustle, long-time resident and ocean lover Albert wanted to develop a line of authentic, eco-friendly and truly local souvenirs featuring artworks from Bondi’s seawall.
“Bondi is known the world over and has such a colourful personality, so I want the brand to capture that and reflect the values of a vibrant, ocean loving community,” she says.
“Wherever they live, people can take a little memento of Bondi life home with them.”
Streetart Society offers giftware with an edge through a new range of planet-friendly art and homewares that boast the colourful works straight from this iconic part of the beach.
Inspired by the incredible stories behind the street artists, Albert saw potential in bringing the messages and works to a broader audience through a homewares collection with a difference, and some heart.
“We wanted to capture the spirit of Bondi that everyone knows and loves via the street art they see every day on the seawall, which changes every six months. This is a way of preserving it forever and taking a piece of it home.”
The ethics behind Streetart Society were important to establish from the outset, she adds, and the first artist she signed was Taiya Bukovsky whose positive energy shines through her works, which also define Streetart Society’s branding. Other featured street artists include Mulga the Artist, Lily Keenan, Jenna Bloom, Rachel Giddens and Charlie Nivision whose artwork can be found on Streetart Society’s artworks, eco bottles, cushions and giftware.
“I manufacture locally where possible, use recycled stock with small runs and completely avoid plastic packaging. Our bestselling eco bottles are hand printed to order, the quality cushions are printed and handmade in Sydney and we keep our runs small.
“Each piece features an artist message and connects customers to the individual artist profiles. My aim is to build the business enough to become involved in aligned community initiatives and expand it to street art from a range of regions, artists, themes and causes.”
