Purolator has unveiled its 2020 Holiday Box collection featuring 13 independent and emerging Canadian artists, one from each province and territory.
The Ontario shipping packages were designed by Patrick Hunter, who is originally from Red Lake.
Hunter says it was an absolute honour to be commissioned by the company to design the festive shipping boxes.
He notes he didn’t have much time to come up and create a design but stresses he’s a workhorse and got it done in about two weeks.
Hunter says he decided to do some Indigenous, Metis, Ojibway florals for his box.
“My goal was to represent that fact through floral motifs that have been beaded onto apparel for hundreds of years by these groups. During the winter holiday season, but also throughout the year, these floral motifs are often given as gifts on items like mukluks, mitts, apparel and other useful items.”
Hunter adds he wanted to create a design through a spiritual lens which is inspired by his homeland.
“That’s the goal. It’s just to kind of work with corporations and bigger businesses like Purolator to help spread the word that you know Indigenous people are here and need some more representation.”
In 2014, “Patrick Hunter Art & Design” was launched, with the intent to create an awareness of Indigenous iconography through artwork that makes people feel good.
To hear more from the former Red Lake resident, visit the Audio link below.
Laurie Weston is Director of Retail for Purolator.
Weston says “Patrick Hunter is an incredible artist and we were super excited to have him design one of our limited edition boxes. The floral motif that he’s designed from a First Nations perspective and the culture and what he represents.”
She adds “We are just really excited to bring that to the rest of Canada and the world actually. His boxes will be shipped all over the world. So it’s very, very important to us to represent that type of art across Canada.”
The national shipping giant plans to move 46,000,000 packages this holiday season.
The boxes are available at all Purolator locations in Canada.
Weston says this was an important partnership.
“We are excited to partner with artists from a wide range of backgrounds and regions. We hope all Canadians find a design that inspires them to share a seasonal artbox with a loved one. We’re making it safer, simpler and more convenient for Canadians to send and receive packages, as well as celebrate moments of joy and creativity together at this festive time of year. It’s another way we can meet customers’ needs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.”
To hear more from Laurie Weston, visit the Audio link below.
