LOVE LETTERS TO THE ‘BIDGEE

Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, July 2023

‘Love Letters to the ‘Bidgee’ is a collection of artworks commissioned by Murrumbidgee Health District, created exclusively for the Health Services Hub at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital.

The works - 4 original artworks and two digital works were created with careful consideration for the hospital environment, in consultation with a range of community members as well as internal stakeholders to reflect the theme of the Murrumbidgee River and its waterways in the Riverina.

Colours, textures and shapes of small elements of the riparian environment combine to visually represent the feeling one gets being close to personal places of meaning – calm, peace, a sense of awe and respect, gratitude.

Growing up on a farm in the Riverina gave me an acute appreciation of details in nature, with my favourite place as a teen being along the Sandy Creek on the property. I revisited this place to consult with my uncle who still farms here. It was easy to slip back into the magic of this place and also understand the magic others experience in places important to them along the Murrumbidgee.

Meeting with a diverse range of locals in various places along the river, confirmed my own feelings about how special our waterways are. We all shared the same general respect and reverence for the Murrumbidgee. It provides calmness and peace, a sense of healing and power, the ability to regenerate, time and time again, whether in flood or drought. The final works create a space which feels calm and peaceful as well as evoking a sense of awe and respect in response to the special place we are fortunate to call home, the Murrumbidgee River.

Love Letter to the ‘Bidgee
Ink & watercolour on paper
135 x 185 cm

Even When Broken You Are Beautiful
Ink & watercolour on paper
90 x 185 cm

Strength Lies in Small Things
Ink & watercolour on paper
90 x 185 cm

Gratitude & Reflection
Ink & watercolour on paper
90 x 185 cm

Installation images (Health Service Hub, Wagga Wagga Base Hospital): Nat Ord
Community Consult images: Pure Dreams Photography