Fairtrade has unveiled a creative collaboration with London-based ‘Banana Bruiser’ artist, Anna Chojnicka, who has created a unique piece of artwork in a tribute to the banana farmers and workers overseas who grow the fruit.
To mark the annual Banana Lovers’ Day (27 August), the UK’s Fairtrade Foundation commissioned Ms Chojnicka to create a bespoke piece of banana art, elaborately produced by bruising the skin of bananas.
The banana in question – selected from a Fairtrade-certified bunch – depicts the portrait of Peruvian banana farmer Juan Roberto, who has been growing organic Fairtrade bananas for over a decade to support his family of two children in La Noria, Peru.
The creative partnership between Fairtrade Foundation and the Banana Bruiser artist aims to highlight the hard work of banana farmers and workers in low-income countries across Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa, who are often paid low prices for their hard labour.
Anna Chojnicka, who creates one bruised banana artwork each day, said: “As someone driven by the values of social justice and sustainability, I’m delighted to collaborate with the Fairtrade Foundation to create this specially bruised banana artwork and to shine a light on the challenges facing banana farmers and workers overseas. I create art by bruising (and then eating) a banana every day, and I'm grateful for the farmers who work hard to produce them.
“When it comes to food, fairness and ethics matter – and sadly, they’re in short supply in many places. But Fairtrade means better pay and better prospects for banana growers. That’s why I use Fairtrade bananas for my artwork and it’s why I would encourage shoppers to choose Fairtrade as often as they can.
“Love the banana. Love the farmer.”
An image of the Fairtrade banana art and an accompanying video was unveiled on Instagram today. We hope the collaboration will encourage more businesses and shoppers to choose Fairtrade bananas, so that growers can earn fairer, higher incomes. This is vital for protecting their livelihoods, crops and communities from the damaging climate crisis and rising living, fuel and farming costs.
Anna Pierides, Senior Supply Chain and Programme Manager for Bananas at the Fairtrade Foundation said: “The bruised Fairtrade banana carefully created by Anna Chojnicka is a vivid tribute to the hard work and sacrifices made by farmers and workers overseas, who are vital to ensuring we can enjoy this much-loved fruit.
“The banana sector is an industry where production costs continue to rise, while market prices remain painfully low, placing a heavy burden on smallholder farmers and workers. For those without the financial safety nets and benefits that Fairtrade certification offers, the prospects can be dire – particularly as the climate crisis and cost of living crises continue to bite.
For more information:
Fairtrade International
Bonner Talweg 177
53129 Bonn Germany
Tel: +49 228 949230