Visitors to St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane will now be welcomed by a vibrant mural, ‘Original Healer,’ by contemporary Aboriginal artist Xoe Mazzoni.
Read: 90-Year-Old Chermside Local Defies Odds, Continues to Beat Australia’s Deadliest Female Cancer
This remarkable artwork, a sister mural to the artist’s earlier installation at St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside in Chermside, serves as a powerful visual connection between traditional healing practices and western medicine.
Mazzoni, an art student at Griffith University, has skillfully incorporated the healing power of medicinal native flora into Original Healer.
Through her artistic vision, she has beautifully bridged the gap between the hospital’s commitment to high-quality, patient-centred care and the traditional knowledge of Aboriginal healing.
The mural showcases traditional Aboriginal symbolism, depicting the gathering places surrounding the Brisbane hospital, where people come together and connect. Its purpose is to gently guide visitors to the heart of the hospital, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment.
The Arts in Health Program, spearheaded by the hospital, received a generous grant from the Queensland State Government in early 2022 to support this extraordinary project.
The grant aimed to provide an opportunity for the professional development of an emerging Aboriginal artist. Xoe Mazzoni’s talent and dedication have culminated in the completion of both the murals at the two hospitals, enriching the hospital’s spaces and fostering a sense of community and cultural diversity.
Expressing gratitude for Mazzoni’s contribution, hospital representatives commended her for sharing her cultural and artistic gifts with the St Vincent’s community.
These captivating murals stand as testaments to the hospital’s commitment to embracing and celebrating Aboriginal culture whilst providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for patients, their families, and staff members.
Published 7-July-2023