The Artist Who Became a Social Activist

Embroidered Wool Kashmiri Shawl at Kasu

“One cannot get involved in a love affair with a country without becoming somewhat of a social activist,” says artist Beverley Bloxham.

Beverley is manager of Kasu Emporium, an online shop with an exquisite collection of handmade, one-off objects from ethical and fair trade sources in India as well as from local Australian artists. Products include shawls, jewellery and knitted hats, with new stock being added from time to time. A minimum of 10% of sales goes to organisations that alleviate poverty, improve education and health, and free children from child labour.

Beverley Bloxham

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One such organisation, Lok Samiti, works in poor villages near Varanasi, and their programs include evening schools for children who have to work all day. Donations from the sale of Kasu products will help get kids like these out of indentured labour and enable them to have a normal childhood.

Beverley first visited India in 2008 and instantly fell in love with the place and the people. Since then, she has been back three times and will shortly spend six months there, volunteering for Lok Samiti and researching new products for Kasu Emporium. Beverley discusses her plans in her blog on the Kasu website. Another site, Missives from the Subcontinent, contains lively and engaging stories of her previous travels, such as her visit to Chennai.

Jewellery at Kasu Emporium

While Kasu Emporium is great for finding suitable gifts it is also a pleasure just to window-shop, because of the visual beauty of the products on display. And when you do make a purchase, you’ll be contributing to someone in need.