Acknowledging our First Nations communities is an integral part of The Royal Children’s Hospital’s 150th anniversary. To mark the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, the RCH Foundation has commissioned two permanent artworks created by Indigenous artists for the RCH.
Celebrate. Create. Connect: The RCH150 Aboriginal Art Project is a centrepiece project of RCH150 and has been made possible thanks to the generous support of Mr Ken Harrison AM and Mrs Jill Harrison OAM.
Adelaide muralist, Elizabeth Close (Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara) will collaborate with an emerging Wurundjeri artist, Samantha Roberts, to design and deliver a four-storey mural which will bookend the north and south façades of the hospital building.
“It is a project I, as an Anangu Indigenous woman, am proud to be a part of”, says Elizabeth.
“Aboriginal art signals to the wider community the importance placed on embedding Aboriginal perspectives within space activation; speaking more broadly to a commitment to inclusivity, and art that speaks to, and is reflective of, the community.”
Adelaide muralist, Elizabeth Close (Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara)
A large sculptural piece will follow created by renowned Yamatji sculptor and installation artist, Robyne Latham. The sculpture will take up residence in the hospital’s Great Northern Court. Robyne is originally from Western Australia and has been based in Melbourne for over 30 years.
Robyne would like her work to impact the hospital in such a way that all people – staff and visitors alike – can recognise and celebrate the love we all have for our children.
“The project honours the resilience and determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and families who have fought the good fight, for the health of their children, during the rapidly changing world of the past 150 years.
“As a Yamatji woman and an artist, this project affords me the opportunity to create a large-scale bronze sculptural work, dedicated to the resilience and determination of all the trailblazers, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous,” says Robyne.
Yamatji woman and artist, Robyne Latham
Sue Hunt, Chief Executive Officer, RCH Foundation acknowledged the significance of Celebrate. Create. Connect.
“This special project acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, pays tribute to the role they’ve played in the history of the hospital, and the importance of reconciliation – while creating a culturally significant legacy for our community and our great hospital.
“The RCH150 Aboriginal Art Project will help to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families, now and well into the future,” said Sue.
John Stanway, Chief Executive Officer of the RCH believes the landmark project will strengthen the connection between the RCH and First Nations patients and their families.
“Aboriginal culture is essential to the RCH. This project helps to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes and strengthening connections with our First Nations communities.
“The RCH is dedicated to ensuring Indigenous children and young people have equitable access to the best possible healthcare – regardless of where they live. It is important for all of us that First Nations culture and identity is always acknowledged at the hospital and that we never lose sight of our pursuit to close the gap on healthcare equality,” said John.
In bringing the project to the community, the RCH Foundation is being guided by a dedicated Steering Committee comprising of Indigenous leaders and co-chaired by Aunty Joy Murphy, Senior Elder, Wurundjeri Tribe Council and N’arweet Carolyn Briggs, Senior Elder and Chairperson, Boonwurrung Foundation.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are Australia’s First Peoples, so embracing our cultures is an important part of shaping Australia’s future,” said Aunty Joy. “There is a huge historical importance and value of art and creativity in our histories, and public artwork that contributes to the community is very in keeping with our cultures.”
The RCH Foundation, alongside the generous support from Ken and Jill Harrison, is excited to present these projects to our communities and hopes their significance transcends to our First Nations communities around the country.
The gift allows Mr and Mrs Harrison to express their desire to encourage other individuals to follow their leadership and sense of social responsibility towards Australia’s First Nations peoples.
“The RCH150 Aboriginal Art Project opened our eyes to the opportunity to be more inclusive of all peoples and add diversity to our outlook on philanthropy.
“We believe that the project will have a very significant impact upon achieving safer cultural experiences within the RCH by demonstrating respect towards Aboriginal cultural beliefs and practices thus achieving better outcomes for patients who will feel more at home,” they said.
Sue Hunt, Chief Executive Officer, RCH Foundation sincerely thanked Ken and Jill Harrison for their support which will help to create a brighter future for Indigenous health and our First Nations communities.
“We are incredibly humbled by this remarkable and meaningful commitment of leadership during a uniquely challenging time for us all.”
For further information about this project, please contact Heven-Lee Osborne, Project Manager, RCH Foundation at [email protected] or visit www.rch150.org.au to keep updated.
