2024 Conference Artwork
Title: Dedication
The detailed artwork used across the Aboriginal Health Conference 2024 has been provided by the long standing Aboriginal Health Conference artist in residence, Michelle 'Wilura' Kickett. Dedication artistically portrays the Rural Health West value of dedication and how it is honoured and upheld by Elders. Rural Health West has chosen to showcase this artwork by incorporating it into the imagery for the Aboriginal Health Conference 2024.
Elders have been symbolised sitting around a fire with a circle connecting them that signifies and unites their dedication to serving and practising culture. Elders were chosen to reflect dedication due to the fact that without their dedication to its survivability, a lot of cultural knowledge would be lost and forgotten. Rural Health West values dedication with the understanding that commitment to culture is a key part in its survivability and acceptance in the wider community.
The artist: Michelle 'Wilura' Kickett
Michelle Kickett was born in Perth, Western Australia. Originating from the Noongar people and a member of the Ballardong and Whadjuk clans of the York and Perth areas, she has lived in the area most of her life.
Michelle developed an enthusiasm for sketching at an early age, focusing on people, landscapes and animals. As a teenager she started working in acrylics, taking inspiration from her father, the artist Noongali (Dennis Kickett).
Focusing on Aboriginal ways of life, Michelle’s work draws on dreamtime stories which have been passed down to her from her Elders but aims to educate non-Aboriginal people about both traditional and contemporary aspects of her culture. Her work is held in collections throughout the world.