Striking art piece returns to STARS

If you’ve visited STARS recently you may have noticed a beautiful new piece of artwork hanging in the entrance to Level 3.

‘Olden Times’ by artist Rene Kulitja is a striking piece both in its composition and size.

The artwork was in place for the opening of STARS in 2001 but was removed during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to accommodate a concierge desk and chairs.

Artist Rene works with a range of media, including paint, glass, ceramics and tjanpi (desert grass). She is a member of the Tjanpi Desert Weavers, whose work was exhibited at the 2015 Venice Biennale.

One of Rene’s most famous artworks ‘Yananyi Dreaming’, features Uluru and was the first Indigenous artwork chosen to adorn the fusillade of a Qantas jet.
Rene grew up in Ernabella and Amata in the far north-west of South Australia and her family are Pitjantjatjara people.

‘Olden Times’ is a ‘map’ of Rene’s Ernabella community complete with sheep gathered around near the water trough, supplied by a windmill built by her father.

Rene also depicts the first Ernabella mission truck, one of the earliest motorised vehicles in the community. It is returning late at night from a trip to Alice Springs, the nearest township over 600km away.

Ernabella was established as a mission by the Presbyterian Church and the SA Government. There were significant differences between Ernabella and other Aboriginal missions. At Ernabella the local Pitjantjatjara language and culture were promoted, and staff were required to learn the traditional language of the inhabitants.

The aerial view of the painting is characteristic of Aboriginal desert art. Traditionally, Aboriginal drawings and paintings would have been maps of the country, showing important landmarks such as food and water sources.

‘Olden Times’ is part of STARS art collection, curated by Australian Unity and displayed throughout all levels of the building and garden. Over 60% of the artwork collection is by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, sourced from both urban artists and those living in remote communities.

The curator of the STARS artwork, Lynne Seear explains the importance of including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks in the hospital.

“Hospital design matters to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and their families in particular ways. There is a clear link between their willingness to participate and environmental attention to signals of welcome and safety. In this regard, art plays an essential role,” said Lynne*.

The main entrance of STARS features the artwork of an Indigenous artist Tamika Grant-Iramu but more recently the Level 3 entrance lacked something similar.

STARS Cultural Capability Officer, Henry Nona has welcomed the return of the artwork to the Level 3 entrance to STARS.

“Having this large traditional dot painting artwork in the Level 3 entrance signals to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and their families that STARS is a culturally safe space,” he said.

“In the near future, Level 3 will also display the Acknowledgment of Country and hello in Turrbal language as you enter the building.”

*Australian Unity. Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service Art Collection. Page 3.