We commissioned four Aboriginal artworks to represent our vision of movement and function for all. The theme for the artwork project was looking after my muscles, bones and joints.
The artworks will enable us to:
- enhance engagement with Aboriginal communities
- raise awareness of the experience for Aboriginal people and communities with musculoskeletal conditions.
The artworks are for the exclusive use of the ACI to support the Musculoskeletal Network. They will be used on our resources, posters and digital media to highlight a culturally appropriate connection for Aboriginal people engaging in musculoskeletal care across NSW.
Please email ACI-Musculoskeletal@health.nsw.gov.au to request permission to use the artworks for:
- digital assets such as social media image tile, virtual backgrounds
- acknowledgement of country slides
- printed posters (for musculoskeletal services within NSW and identified partners).
Artworks
Leeanne Hunter
- Outer red twisted line is an artistic interpretation of the blood circulating through the body.
- Speckled boomerangs symbolise protection of the body and arming yourself with knowledge to manage your pain if injured. The top section has the arm bones on the outside of boomerangs. The bottom section has the hip and leg bones on the outside of boomerangs.
- The main panel inside centre circle is interpretive of the human torso featuring abdominal muscles, tendons of arms and legs, rib cage and spine with cartilage or disc between bones of spine.
- White dots double dotted with red are a symbol for where pain may occur across a lifespan, not anatomically placed.
- Speckled white hands have a dual meaning for a person’s ability to choose a healthy lifestyle to prevent illness of the musculoskeletal system, and represent the body.
- Connected white circles represent the care centres and/or alternative therapies a person may access to maintain health or pain management.
Leeanne Hunter
- Centre dots are interpreted as the muscle fibre, that the motor neuron travels along to the muscular junction.
- Double wavey ochre lines represent the cardiac muscle providing blood flow.
- White wavey lines are smooth muscle.
- Bones are leg and arm bones.
- Emu feathers represent both the spine in shape as well as the nerves and neuron system.
- Stamped hands are the end result of managing your health after pain therapy. The dots vary in size to show different levels of pain and management through the process.
- Three circles with radiating lines represent a person with pain seeking assistance at health centres. It includes cartilage U shapes, ochre dots for bone density circled by levels of pain.
- Speckled boomerangs symbolise protection of the body and arming yourself with knowledge to manage your pain.
- Footprints suggest a person walking through life maintaining a healthy lifestyle, until pain or therapy draws them into the inner circle via age, disease or injury.
Kimberly Mann
Transforming systems to bring cultural ways and healing to achieve outcomes that better serve First Nations people and communities. Health services providing the support needed to allow people to live healthier, longer and more meaningful lives.
Walking and connecting to country not only helps you spiritually, but physically and emotionally also. Helps keep your body strong.
Your health plan may include support from multiple people, including nurses, doctors specialists and the support of mob.
Meeting places, safe places, are where we can yarn about health concerns in our communities, not just in a hospital. Connecting to supports and having these conversations will help communities thrive. Awareness on where to access these services locally.
Barriers that First Nations people face when dealing with the healthcare system, including racism, misdiagnosis and inadequate pain relief due to addiction presumption.
Having support every step of the way and feeling comfortable enough to bring your concerns up with your health provider.
We still have people being affected by musculoskeletal conditions, that don't currently have the awareness about these conditions to seek the necessary support. Sick communities. Communities in pain.
Marie Bisby - Let's keep going
Remaining physically active Let's keep going is a representation of the beauty of life. A reminder for all to embrace their everyday regardless of their situation. Every small movement can reconnect us to our soul, our purpose and our connection to family, friends and Community.
Sometimes we may feel despair and a sense of loss or loneliness as the fight to deal with or recover from injury can be overwhelming. We must remember we are never alone and can reach out for assistance, guidance and answers when we need them.
A holistic approach is what we need to focus on where we can blend, what we know to what may seem foreign. A walk on country, a sit by the sea, our souls become complete when we have true self determination.
Included in Lets keep going are symbols of:
- Lemon myrtle and bush tucker – representing the use of traditional medicines and practices to complete the holistic approach to wellness.
- Water pods – highlighting the importance of hydration on health.
- Tree – representing life, change and the cycle of health.
- People of all abilities – suggesting that regardless of ability we can all focus on physical activity.
- Hills, mountains – representing hurdles, challenges and a mindset which may need to be addressed to be able to move forward.