News

Stunning indigenous artwork on display at Wollongong Private Hospital

May 20, 2021

A beautiful indigenous artwork, paying homage to Wollongong as the land between the mountains and the sea, has been officially unveiled at Wollongong Private Hospital.

Commissioned specifically for the hospital, and titled “Woolungah”, the stunning canvas will adorn the main foyer, brightening the area with vibrant blue, white, green and brown.

It took artists Lorraine Brown and Narelle Thomas, from the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation, several weeks to complete.

“We like to put a lot of thought into the planning and design because it’s representing the area. Wollongong is a very specific place between the mountains and the sea and we want-ed to make sure that came across on the canvas,” Ms Brown said.

“They wanted us to do an acknowledgement to country so we made it in our local colours to show that we’re the east coast but we’re the mountains too, and you know there’s a lot of dreaming stories that fit in with that as well.

“I did it with my sister Narelle, we always paint everything together,” she said.

Wollongong Private Hospital Chief Executive Officer Steven Rajcany said it was wonderful to display the work of such talented, local artists.

“At Ramsay Health Care, we recognise the important role we play in our local communities and society at large. It’s why we’re committed to investing not only in large-scale causes, but also in local projects,” Mr Rajcany said.

“Commissioning this beautiful artwork allows us to invest in local organisations like the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation, which does such important work in raising the self-esteem, pride and dignity of Aboriginal people.

“I want to thank Lorraine and Narelle for their hard work and creativity, in bringing such beauty to our foyer here at Wollongong Private Hospital,” he said.

Artists with the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation use art as a tool of engagement to share stories and help the community to learn about Aboriginal culture.

They are some of the top Aboriginal artists in the Illawarra region, and their art captures the spirit, colours and stories of their cultural heritage as coastal people.