Summary

Artist's statement:

Apa Kausal are words spoken in the traditional Torres Strait dialect of Kala Lagaw Ya, the language of the Western Islanders. When translated into English it means Garden of flowers. Plant life, particularly flowering plants, promote serenity, beauty and spiritual wellbeing. For many people, being in nature and interacting with the natural world, brings a sense of peace, tranquility, and feelings of connectedness - with self, others and a higher power.

There has been a long tradition in viewing nature as the healer in different cultures across the globe. For the people of Torres Strait land cultivation and gardening was one of the pivotal daily activities as it provided a staple food source [apart from fish and shellfish] for each community as well as the provision of vibrantly coloured garlands [that grew wild] that adorned feasting tables and mats. Foods often cultivated were bananas, coconuts, cassava, taro and other types of yams. Apart from these, a variety of natural fruits and some wild yams were gathered in the bush, a task carried out by women and children.

The major amount of available time for individuals was spent in preparing, planting and harvesting gardens in those areas [mainly Eastern and Top Western Islands] where soil was fertile and rain sufficient to ensure growth for most of the year. The coral-sand Central Islands and high rocky Western Islands were less fertile and water was often less plentiful, but island clan groups did have some land under crops, often established on nearby uninhabited islands.

In today's societies, these large community gardens assist users' health through increased fresh vegetable consumption as well as providing a venue for exercise. They bring community people closer in touch with the source of their food, breaking down isolation and alienation and create a social community that includes other benefits such as sharing of food production and knowledge.

JCU General Practice Training Program Artwork Series

James Cook University (JCU) General Practice Training program is the regional provider of general practitioner training in regional, rural and remote Queensland. JCU is committed to delivering a high quality program for GP Registrars and working with partners to achieve better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

In 2018, JCU commissioned Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Queensland to design artworks that were representative of a story about the provision of healthcare in the community, for the community, and by the community. The resulting 13 artworks are now proudly displayed in our regional offices across Queensland and featured in JCU resources. This series of commissioned artworks, consisting of paintings, prints and graphics, represents a wide range of artists from early career to professionals who regularly exhibit. Artists included in the series are Sharon Caulfield, Lyndon Davis, Kevin Edmondstone, Karen Hall, Matthew Humphries, Michael McGuane, Anthony 'Gesa' Pilot, Nicky Bidju Pryor, Brian Robinson, Chern'ee Sutton, Janeece Thompson "Goungee" (Water Lily), Belynda Waugh and Nicole Wone.