Ten years of smiles, milestones and moments that matter are at the heart of a new exhibition showcasing the first decade of care at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.
The exhibition, launched in the lead-up to the hospital’s 10th birthday on 29 November, captures the dedication, compassion, and outstanding care that has touched the lives of more than 455,000 children and their families.
Themed around Children’s Health Queensland’s values of respect, integrity, care and imagination, the collection of images and artworks is drawn from the hospital’s photography archives, arts in health collection and social media channels.
The smiles of patients including Cooper from Mount Edwards, Maggie from Salisbury and Stephen from Kingston feature alongside selfies and snaps of some of the hospital’s celebrity visitors – including Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Chris Hemsworth, and other candid behind the scenes moments and memorable milestones from the past decade.
One of the first artworks purchased for the hospital, by the late- Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori, is also featured, as well as a framed painting of Quandamooka artist Casey Coolwell-Fisher’s vibrant ‘Returning from visit’ wall mural, which welcomes visitors on arrival to the hospital.
The collection also depicts the hospital’s emotional journey, including crayon drawings by children waiting in the hospital’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic during the pandemic, as well as reflective pieces for children that have passed.
Children’s Health Queensland Chief Executive Frank Tracey said the exhibition reflected the stories, experiences and achievements that have earned the Queensland Children’s Hospital national and international recognition for its person-centred care.
“It’s a testament to the collective effort of so many. From the doctors, nurses and allied health professionals who work tirelessly to provide the best care possible, to the support staff who keep the hospital machine running smoothly, to the volunteers who bring joy, smiles and fun when they are needed most, and of course, to the children and families who inspire us with their bravery every single day.
“This collection highlights the inspiring resilience of patients and families, and our exceptional staff who have worked together over the past decade to overcome challenges, including a global pandemic, to continuously deliver safe, high-quality healthcare and outcomes for children and young people from across Queensland.
Children’s Health Queensland’s Arts in Health Strategic Lead, Lynne Seear, said the healing environment at the hospital had been enhanced by the considered curation of art and cultural programs and the exhibition echoed that approach.
“It was important to place the patient stories and experience at the heart of this collection, while recognising the incredible achievements of the thousands of staff, patients and families at the centre of our story,” Ms Seear said.
“Our patients and their families deserve to feel that life is full of possibilities, and through the Arts in Health program, we continue to offer opportunities to create, see culture in action, learn new skills and be exposed to interesting ideas.”
Exhibition curator Louis Lim has worked closely with the hospital’s Arts in Health team since the hospital opened in November 2014.
“The hospital has a sense of calm and curiosity, and we wanted this curation to reflect that youth and vibrancy, as well as the hospital’s rich history of inclusivity,” Mr Lim said.
Since opening in 2014, the hospital has provided more than 3.4 million episodes of care to more than 455,000 children and young people from across Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
The exhibition ‘10 years of care at QCH’ is on display in the Community Gallery on Level 2 of the hospital until the end of March 2025.