The new $723.3 million Tweed Valley Hospital, set to open in the coming weeks, will feature a symbolic Aboriginal artwork at its main entrance, designed by local artist Frances Belle Parker.
“The Path We Take”, has been completed and uses colourful glass panels to foster a vibrant, culturally safe environment for visitors, particularly Aboriginal community members.
As a proud Yaegl artist, Ms Parker’s designs incorporate significant symbols and elements that map Country, emphasising the colours of earth and waterways found around the hospital, while the linework symbolises connections and journeys.
The artwork portrays the local coastline and Bundjalung Dreaming Stories of Gudgin and the Three Brothers, aiming to honour the land and its stories.
Situated at the hospital’s entrance, the artwork creates an inviting atmosphere with natural light creating colourful projections during the day and calming illumination at night.
The hospital intends for the artwork to promote healing and growth, acting as a portal to the culture and history of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the region.
The Arts in Health Program, a collaboration between Health Infrastructure and Local Health Districts with artists and communities, supports this integration of art in healthcare settings.
Frances Belle Parker’s artwork has been designed in collaboration with creative team Collide.
The opening of the new health facility is set to provide state-of-the-art healthcare services to people in the Tweed Valley region, meaning around 5,000 patients can be treated closer to home each year.