News

Impressive artwork by Joondalup Health Campus staff – unveiled during NAIDOC Week

Jul 10, 2018

Joondalup Health Campus (JHC) has launched its NAIDOC Week activities with the unveiling of an impressive artwork painted by staff under the guidance of reputable artist Justin Martin.

The “collective canvas” was painted on ‘Close the Gap’ Day (15 March 2018) to raise awareness about closing the gap in health and life expectancy outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.

Under Justin’s careful guidance, it took staff just four hours to paint the large canvas using gum nuts, seeds, leaves and other natural material.

Feedback was overwhelming with staff saying they learnt a lot and found the experience fun, uplifting and even therapeutic.

Justin joined his family and JHC staff, including his father in law, who is JHC’s Head of Aged Care and Rehabilitation, Dr Barry Vieira, at a NAIDOC Week launch event on Monday 9 July.

“The painting is a colourful description of Joondalup lakelands that highlights the importance of the lake and all plant and animal species that call it home,” Justin said at the launch.

“Surrounding the lake, there a number of different important plant and tree species which Nyungar people used.

“There are also a range of different animals, which inhabit the lakelands making several trails to the lakes.”

Artist Justin Martin shows Joondalup Health Campus staff the ‘collective canvas’ at the launch of NAIDOC Week activities at the hospital.