Painted beachscapes, intricate weavings and hand-carved boomerangs have transformed the community gallery of the Queensland Children’s Hospital for its latest exhibition.
The exhibition, celebrating First Nations artworks in the Children’s Health Queensland collection, showcases more than 40 artworks sourced through the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), Australia’s premier First Nations-led art fair and cultural celebration.
The collection, delivered in partnership with CIAF, features paintings, prints, photographs, drawings, weavings, sculptures and other objects created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Queensland.
Each piece tells a story, offering powerful insights into mission life, the reclamation of lost languages, and Australian landscapes.
Together, they stand as a testament to the resilience, courage, and resistance that have sustained and preserved culture.
Lynne Seear, Strategic Lead Arts in Health at Children’s Health Queensland, said the new exhibition complemented a wider collection of works around the hospital, sourced from CIAF for more than a decade.
“At Children’s Health Queensland, we are committed to integrating First Nations art into clinical and communal spaces as we recognise the important role of culture in wellbeing,” Ms Seear said.
“Acquiring First Nations art also ensures contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists are meaningfully represented in public collections that thousands of people encounter each year.
“For many families, especially those travelling far from home, seeing stories of Country, culture and identity represented here can foster a powerful sense of belonging.”
The exhibition is showing in the Queensland Children’s Hospital’s Community Gallery on Level 2.
Over 40 artworks from more than 30 artists / art centre collaborations will be featured in the exhibition. These include: Bernard Lee Singleton, Teneille Nuggins, Melanie Gibson, Gertie Deeral and Wanda Gibson (Hopevale Arts Centre), Erica Muriata, Nancy Beeron, Ninney Murray, George Beeron Snr, Charlotte Beeron (Girringun Arts Centre), Susan Peters Nampitjin (Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts), Sonya Creek, Cathy Snow, Selma Marrbarmarnya Hoosan, Phillip Denham, Daniel Beeron, Dylan Sarra (Mitchell Fine Art), Sam Harrison, Darren Blackman, Teho Ropeyarn and Brian Robinson (Onespace), Aidan Rowlingson, KS Savage, Netta Loogatha, Ivy Minniecon and Lara Fuji (Northsite Contemporary Arts), Melanie Hava, Libby Harward, Mylene Holroyd, Lex Namponan (Aurukun Arts Centre), and Moa Arts/Paula Savage.
The Children’s Health Queensland Arts in Health program has been fostering a sense of connection and community at the QCH since its doors opened in 2014. Learn more about the hospital’s art collection.