Ngunnawal artist Bradley Mapiva Brown’s artwork is entitled Ngala Dhawura.
14 June 2024
As Canberrans enter Canberra Hospital’s new Welcome Hall, they will be met by two new artworks by local Aboriginal artists.
These commissioned works acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as Traditional Custodians of Canberra and the region.
They also recognise the contributions of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the ACT.
The Critical Services Building
The Welcome Hall is part of the hospital’s new Critical Services Building.
It replaces the hospital’s reception in Building 2.
The Critical Services Building will open to the public in August 2024.
Considered design
In designing the building, the ACT Government engaged closely with the Ngunnawal people and Canberra’s local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
This has helped ensure it is a welcoming, safe space for these communities.
Healing Journey
Lynnice Church is a Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi artist.
Her artwork Healing Journey is displayed at the Welcome Hall entrance.
It includes 24,073 colourful metal discs. Each is attached by hand to a metal frame that stretches across the front and back entrance of the hall.
The artwork acknowledges Canberra Hospital’s role as a place for healing.
It depicts health journeys, and the roles family, community, specialists and health staff play in supporting patients.
Ngala Dhawura
Ngunnawal artist Bradley Mapiva Brown’s artwork is entitled Ngala Dhawura.
The wooden sculpture represents the connection to sacred woodlands of Ngunnawal country, where the Critical Services Building stands.
The woodlands are a healing place for the Ngunnawal people. They hold many cultural resources, such as traditional tools and bush medicines that have long used to maintain health and well-being.
Ngala Dhawura is located above a corridor connecting the new building to the existing hospital.
A welcoming, safe space
Art is an important part of the building’s design and will feature throughout.
In addition to the artwork, design features of the Critical Services Building include:
- An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lounge: a first for Canberra Hospital with outdoor space and a yarning circle.
- Strong indoor / outdoor connection: large windows around the hospital offer views of the surrounding landscape and frame areas of cultural significance.
- New greenspace and gardens: outdoor access is easier with new gardens and courtyards, including accessible dedicated patient spaces.
The hospital's new main entrance
Ngala Dhawura
Lynnice Church’s artwork adorns both entrances of the Welcome Hall.
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