Keagan’s artwork takes pride of place
A striking artwork by Aboriginal artist and graphic designer Keagan Estrada-Mallia now takes pride of place in reception at SCS Group’s new Ringwood headquarters.
Printed on canvas and block mounted, the 2.7 m × 1.4 m piece gives Keagan’s work a prominent place where colleagues, clients and visitors can see it. For SCS Indigenous (SCSi), it also reflects a relationship that has grown over six years and helped shape our visual identity.
This Indigenous Business Month, we’re sharing the story behind the artwork and introducing Neonic, Keagan’s Aboriginal-owned creative business.
Meet Keagan and Neonic
Keagan Estrada-Mallia is a proud Wemba Wemba man, Aboriginal artist and graphic designer who founded and runs Neonic.
His practice brings Aboriginal culture and storytelling together with contemporary design. Neonic’s work spans commissioned cultural artwork, branding, publications, Reconciliation Action Plans, campaigns and large-format graphics.
For organisations looking to engage an Aboriginal creative business, Neonic offers opportunities to bring that expertise into everything from everyday communications to major projects.
A relationship built over six years
Our Managing Director, Scott McCartney, has mentored Keagan for the past six years. During that time, Scott has seen him develop professionally, grow in confidence as a creative and establish his own business.
Today, SCSi is proud to be one of Neonic’s clients. Seeing Keagan build his business, and commissioning his work for our own, is a meaningful part of that ongoing relationship.
It shows how sharing knowledge and creating commercial opportunities can work together. Mentoring provides a space to discuss ideas and business decisions, while paid projects create opportunities to demonstrate expertise and build a portfolio.
SCS Indigenous (SCSi) co-founder Scott McCartney pictured with artwork by Keagan Estrada-Mallia of Neonic, proudly displayed in reception at SCS Group’s new Ringwood headquarters.
The artist behind our visual identity
Keagan designed the SCSi logo and created artwork that has become an important part of our identity. His work appears on our uniforms and throughout our branding.
The reception installation brings that connection into our new workplace on a larger scale. Its prominent position gives us an opportunity to introduce visitors to Keagan, recognise his creative work and share the relationship behind it.
We’re proud to have his artwork on display and to see Neonic’s work become part of the experience of visiting our new headquarters.
Creating opportunities through Indigenous procurement
For us, Indigenous procurement includes getting to know the people behind a business and recognising where their expertise can add value.
Choosing an Aboriginal business for a design brief, artwork commission or publication creates a commercial opportunity. An ongoing relationship can lead to further projects, introductions and referrals as that business grows.
Our relationship with Neonic is one example of how this can develop over time. A connection built through mentoring has grown into a commercial relationship, with Keagan’s creativity now visible across our business.
This Indigenous Business Month, we encourage our network to explore Neonic’s work and consider where an Aboriginal creative business could be involved in their next project.
Explore Keagan’s artwork and design services
Visit Neonic’s website to explore Keagan’s artwork and design services.
