While it would be lovely to have these shirts made entirely here in Australia, it’s simply not practical. The shirt company I work with is, in my opinion, one of the best in the world. Their workmanship is exceptional — beautifully stitched, carefully made, and most importantly, produced sustainably. That matters to me, and it matters to the planet. What more could you ask for?

The reality is that many Australian brands have their clothing made overseas and then shipped back here, because the cost of manufacturing locally is just too high. If you check the tags on most garments or footwear sold in Australia, you'll find that they’re made in other countries. We don’t have much local clothing or footwear manufacturing anymore. About the only iconic exception is Akubra — everyone knows their hats as a true Aussie classic.

Every single artwork that goes onto my shirts is my own. Each piece has been created by me, often requiring hours of work. The shirt itself is simply a blank canvas for my art. Even the canvases and materials I buy from Officeworks aren’t made in Australia — they come from overseas too.

So what’s my point? The heart of the shirt — the artwork — is made right here, by me, in Australia. When you buy a ji artwork shirt, you’re supporting an Australian artist and an Australian micro-business. I love this country deeply. Its diversity inspires me every day, and that comes through in my work. Our flowers and animals are like nowhere else in the world, and that’s why my art looks the way it does — bold, vibrant, and uniquely Australian.

When you buy a ji artwork shirt, you’re supporting local creativity, supporting Australia, and supporting a more sustainable planet.

And honestly, that’s what matters most.