At the end of January, The Print Bar had the incredible opportunity to host a stall at The Other Art Fair in Melbourne. The Other Art Fair is a vibrant, immersive event that showcases the work of emerging and established artists from across the world, with this edition featuring mostly Melburnian and Australian artists. The Other Art Fair travels across the globe to exhibit in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Sydney, Melbourne, Brooklyn and Dallas. As a company that thrives on creative expression, being part of this dynamic space was an inspiring experience. However, this time, our presence at the fair wasn’t just about printing apparel; it was also about making a difference.

The Other Art Fair offered up the opportunity to collaborate with three talented artists; Marisa Mu (@marisa.mu), Kasia Franckowicz (@kasia.artist), and Marce King (@marce_king_art). These three artists were exhibiting their work at the fair and through the use of their kindly-gifted designs, we launched an exclusive collection of limited-edition digitally printed t-shirts, with all profits going to Dangerous Females. 

Who are Dangerous Females? Dangerous Females is a movement founded to combat violence against women by raising awareness and funds for support services in Australia. The organisation started in 2018, inspired by the need for change and to highlight gender based violence and since then they have raised over $370,000. All profits raised from our merch stall will go to Future Yayes, a group of young Aboriginal women from across Alice Springs who promote anti-racism and support young women to build healthy relationships. Linking up with Dangerous Females and Future Yayes allowed us to blend artistry with advocacy, reinforcing our belief that fashion can be a powerful force for change.

The Artists

Kasia Franckowicz – @kasia.artist

Kasia is a Naarm/Melbourne based artist whose colourful work delves into themes of identity, nostalgia, and personal truth. Being the daughter of two refugees, her unique artistic perspective has been shaped by displacement and cultural intersections. The artwork Kasia supplied is in her traditionally unapologetic and rebellious contemporary form, with a cowgirl hand on hip, peering over her own shoulder while holding a gun – it’s vibrant, it’s cheeky and it’s powerful.  

 

Marisa Mu – @marisa.mu

An artist based between Melbourne and New York, Marisu Mu explores themes of queer expression, intersectional feminism, the Asian diaspora and body liberation. The artwork Marisa supplied for us is a colourful assortment of queer identities, with all the individual characters holding hands and leaping around the frame. This work is pure advocacy for under-represented peoples and their cultures, and the visitors at The Other Art Fair could not get enough of it.

 

Marce King – @marce_king_art

Born in Kilmore, Victoria, Marce King is a distinguished portrait and figurative artist. Their work explores the physical form and the emotional depth of humankind. Their work also uncovers belonging, identity and the societal constructs that shape our understanding of gender. The artwork that they supplied to The Other Art Fair explores connection, belonging and resilience – two hands held together amidst external forces that may work to separate them or bring them closer together. 

Feeling the Love

The response from fair attendees was overwhelmingly positive. People were drawn to the stall not only for the unique designs but also for the cause behind them. Some visitors exclaimed ‘Dangerous Females!’ as they walked past our stall, clearly recognising them from social media or other events. Some shared personal stories about their connections to family violence or Dangerous Females and similar organisations, reinforcing the importance of raising awareness and funds for support services.

One of the highlights of the weekend was witnessing the enthusiasm of those who purchased the shirts. Some put their t-shirts on immediately, proudly displaying their support for both the artists and the mission behind the collection. Others bought them as gifts for friends or family members, spreading the message even further. Some took their T-shirts straight back to the artists and had them signed by the artist themselves. Not going to lie, our artists were giving celebrity status at The Other Art Fair – and we were living for it. The conversations sparked at our stall about art, advocacy, and the intersection of the two really cemented that we were exactly where we were meant to be.

The Power of Art and Community

The Other Art Fair is known for its ability to bring together artists (both established and on-the-rise) and art lovers in a way that feels personal, accessible, and engaging. Our experience reinforced the idea that creativity is a catalyst for connection and community. Whether it was the artists themselves stopping by to admire their designs in a new format, or customers learning about Dangerous Females for the first time, every interaction felt purposeful and affirming.

What’s Next?

After such a successful weekend, we’re excited to continue finding ways to merge art with advocacy. The collaborations with Kasia, Marisa, Marce and Dangerous Females have been deeply rewarding, and we’re looking to the horizon for future events already. Whether it’s through partnerships with more artists, new charitable initiatives, or further involvement in events like The Other Art Fair, we’re committed to making a difference through the power of printed apparel.

We want to say a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who stopped by our stall, supported the initiative, and helped spread the word. We raised a total of $4063.45 for Dangerous Females! Thank you to the artists who collaborated with us, your talent and generosity made this project possible. We can’t wait to see what’s next!

If you missed out on grabbing one of our limited-edition t-shirts, stay tuned… there may just be another opportunity on the horizon.