Nyiyaparli inspired artworks at Newman Hospital

Last week three Nyiyaparli inspired artworks were installed outside the new Newman Hospital development. In October 2021, KNAC, artist Mel McVee and Mossenson Art Projects successfully won a Percent for Art contract to collaboratively create three external artworks that represented the themes of:

bush foods (nourishment)
family (connection)
bush medicine (healing)

Over the last 18 months, consultations and workshops led by artist Mel, Talya from Mossenson Arts Projects and KNAC’s Mel, have occurred with Senior Nyiyaparli and Nyiyaparli youth to create a concept design that was then brought to life by the team at Artforms in Perth.

KNAC wishes to thank the key drivers of this project, David Stock, Cheryl Yuline and Michael Stream as well as artist Mel McVee and Talya Mossenson of Mossenson Art Projects for your tireless efforts in bringing this to fruition. We think they look deadly! Make sure you check them out next time you are in Newman.

Bushfoods (Nourishment)

This artwork represents the theme of nourishment. The centre of the artwork depicts the kapumarta (bush tomato). Atop the kapumarta sits a marntu (goanna). Bush foods such as kapumarta and marntu maintain an important place in Nyiyaparli culture.

Family (Connection)

This artwork represents the theme of connection and the important role that family plays in the Nyiyaparli life. At the centre of the artwork sits Pukarti (snakewood) seeds. Snakewood is the best firewood and is used in campfires to roast kangaroo, emu or goannas, bringing families together. Atop the emu sits an emu. In the same way elder Nyiyaparli teach younger Nyiyaparli about Country and the law the make emu takes on a teaching role, caring for and teaching the young chicks how to navigate Country, how to stay safe and what to eat.

Bush Medicine (Healing)

This artwork represents the theme of healing. Nyiyaparli have for thousands of years used medicinal plants to heal illnesses and ailments. In the centre of this piece sits Vicks Bush. So named for the distinctive Vicks VapoRub smell it exudes when the leaves are squashed and rubbed together. It also provides similar medicinal qualities to its Vicks VapoRub namesake. Atop the Vicks Bush sits Murrumurrura (Wild Honeybee) and some wild honey. Wild honey is a highly sought-after bush food that is often collected from hives within the Piyarrpa tree (Coolibah tree). Wild honey is not only a favoured bush food but is also collected for its medicinal qualities and is described as a natural anti-biotic by Nyiyaparli.