Celebrating Duality in Discovery

Barwon Health’s Research Directorate commissioned local First Nations artist “leni”, a proud Wotjobaluk woman living gratefully and respectfully on Wadawurrung Country, to create a unique artwork that is displayed at the Adrian Costa Clinical Trials Centre.

‘Duality in Discovery’ is a beautiful work that pays respect to Traditional Owners and acknowledges the ongoing strength and resilience of First Nations peoples in sustaining the world’s oldest living culture.

Barwon Health is proud to display this artwork as a demonstration of our commitment to enabling culturally safe and sensitive research that promotes positive health outcomes for First Nations Peoples.

Each of the five coloured pods reflects on the key themes of Wellbeing, Healing, Culture, Connection, and Working Together.

These are all intrinsic to the piece’s power and balance, its success as a structured work, and its reminder of interconnectedness in not only an artist’s concept but also the power of complex and collaborative research.

The black lines between each theme enable the separation of thoughts, yet the solder between them strengthens the other.

The black pods reflect the oldest living cultural history within Country, and the white dots represent the latest knowledge that has been sewn across this sacred space. The gold highlights the immense worth when layered with respect and relevance to each other.

The “leni language” inside the pods stands as a testament to unspoken unknowns that exist and uplift through our drive to create and our endeavours to grow.

When working within the research process, there is a deep and untapped capacity for duality in discovery. One must always respect the wealth and wonder generated by acceptance and reverence.