This artwork speaks to the idea of intertwining our traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellness practices with Western medicine. For thousands of years we have lived and flourished using our own traditional healing ways, and it’s so important to continue to use those ways, and teach others so that we can pass down the knowledge for generations to come. These two medicine systems can exist harmoniously through the correct education and support.
On another level, this artwork represents the journey to strengthening communities by empowering mob to be healthy and create healthy futures for our young jarjums (children). It symbolises hope for a brighter future in which we are happy, healthy and flourishing once again as First Nation people. This artwork also symbolises the importance of connections between people, and connections between us and the Land.
About the Artist
Emma-Louise Mulganai Hollingsworth is an Indigenous artist and a Kaanju, Kuku Ya’u and Girramay woman. She has been painting since she was a toddler, and it was always a dream of hers to pursue art as a career.
The name Mulganai came from her Aunty who blessed her mum when she was pregnant with her. When she was born, her mum gave her the name Mulganai which means ‘morning star’, or ‘guiding light’ in language.
Art over the years has become ever more special to Emma as she discovered the power art can have on mental health and healing. Emma’s art has helped people around the world remember loved ones, inspired strength to fight cancer and heal from disease, and lifted moods from the depths of depression.
