In celebration of 40 Years of supporting women in our community, Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre commissioned local artist Karly Morris for a mural on a wall in the Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre. See below some more information on the artwork.
Title of Artwork
Nyami’s Healing/Nyami’s Darrundaygam (Women’s Healing)
Artist
My name is Karly Morris and I am a proud local Gumbaynggirr, Dunghutti, Wiradjuri woman. My family is the Hart family of Coffs Harbour and I grew up on the Wongala Mission and by Coffs Creek in my great grandparents (Sylvia and Cecil Hart) family home.
Story of the Artwork
The name of this artwork is Nyami’s Healing/Nyami’s Darrundaygam which translates to Women’s Healing in the Gumbaynggir language. This artwork was given this title as it tells the story of the Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre and the journey it has been on over the last 40 years.
The many different shades of purple colours used are to symbolise empowerment in women’s health. The large white symbol which spreads horizontally across the centre of the artwork is a journey symbol. This symbolises the journey that the Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre has been on over the last four decades. The four groups that are shades of purples are meeting place symbols. These represent each decade. Around each meeting place are symbols that represent people, these people are the many people who have contributed and made an impact on the Coffs Harbour WHC over the years. The handprints throughout the entire artwork symbolise the staff that are part of the team that make the Coffs Harbour WHC. Each staff member added their own unique print to the artwork to show the diversity of women.
When I was contacted about collaborating with the Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre for a second time, this time for a mural, I was on a journey of my own. I was struggling deeply with my mental health. With the strong women around me, I was reminded of my strength and put this into my art. These women were part of my healing journey and their hand prints are also amongst this piece. Creating this artwork not only has aided in my journey, it has allowed me to express my emotion and allow me to regain that passion of expressing myself creatively.
This artwork is a reminder that everyone is on their own journey, each is different yet so similar. Full of wins and losses. How you hold yourself up during the losses will determine how big your wins are. From me to you, be strong and never give up.
