Thursday Island Chronic Disease Centre

Brecknock Consulting is proud to announce our recent success in securing State Government funding for a public art program on Thursday Island as part of Queensland Health’s development of a Chronic Disease Centre.

art+place Queensland Public Art Fund has awarded $141,700 towards the realisation of two public art proposals which have been developed specifically for the Centre. Curated and managed by Brecknock Consulting, the artworks Guthathaw Ulakal by Alick Tipoti and Currents of Connection by Rosie Barkus will provide unique entrance features for the Chronic Disease Centre which is located next to the Hospital on a beautiful southern headland of the Island.  Guthathaw Ulakal is an external sculptural work in fibreglass and resin depicting a herd of five dugong. Alick selected the dugong for its deep cultural significance to all island and language groups within the Torres Strait and also for the dugong’s use in traditional medicine as an oil extract for treating a wide range of ailments. The sculpture will be integrated within landscaping with designed feature lighting. Currents of Connection is a textile wall hanging located within the facility’s main internal entrance and waiting area. Rosie has created designs in brilliant colours celebrating the abundant sources of food from land and sea within the Torres Strait.

Living with chronic disease, such as diabetes or renal disease, is a challenge for patients and their families, particularly in the remote communities of the Torres Strait. The new Chronic Disease Centre will provide a much needed professional health care service, reducing the need for travel and relocation. These artworks provide an opportunity for expressing community care and ownership and celebrating the living cultural traditions of this unique region.

Brecknock Consulting is privileged to work with both Indigenous communities and Queensland Health to develop culturally inclusive artworks which express themes of healing, care and well-being. Over the past decade we have worked in many regional and remote communities across Queensland from major Hospitals to remote community health care centres, enabling us to develop expertise and awareness in the inter-relationship of art and health. The Thursday Island Chronic Disease Centre adds to our current program of commissions with Queensland Health which include artwork programs for the Mackay Base Hospital Redevelopment and the Townsville Hospital Expansion (Stage 1).

Examples of previous work undertaken by artists Alick Tipoti and Rosie Barkus.

Artist: Alick Tipoti
Artwork: Apu Kaz, linocut
Photo Credit: Alick Tipoti

Artist: Rosie Barkus
Artwork: The pearling lugger days, wallhanging
Photo Credit: Rosie Barkus