An artistic celebration of NAIDOC Week
In honour of NAIDOC Week 2019 (7-14 July), Indigenous artist, Kristen Forbes, visited Resthaven Paradise residents to share her culture and history through the expression of art.
Kristen is a Narrunga (SA) and Arrente (NT) Indigenous woman, and this is the second time she has visited Resthaven Paradise, having visited for NAIDOC Week in 2018.
Kristen says, ‘Teaching the older community about Aboriginal Art has a positive impact, as I am able to demonstrate my culture not just through words and sharing my story, but also through the involvement of the individuals with the artwork.’
‘They learn not only about the past, but the positive changes of the future.’
Lifestyle Coordinator, Thuy Pham, says, ‘We were delighted to welcome Kristen to Resthaven Paradise again.’
‘Residents really enjoyed the art activities of painting their own boomerang, or contributing to a large blank canvas with their individual handprints.’
‘Kristen and her helpers, Amy and Danielle, demonstrated different traditional patterns for residents to try.’
‘During the presentation, Kristen, Amy and Danielle shared their culture with residents, who were fascinated to learn their stories.’
‘One resident, Mrs Isobel Sisson, commented that she had “learned so much”. I think that’s true for all of us.’
‘We are so grateful to Kristen for providing us this in-depth look into Indigenous culture and stories through art.’
NAIDOC Week aims to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee,’ however, the acronym has since become the name of the week itself.
Resthaven Paradise is just one of Resthaven’s twelve high quality residential aged care homes. Resthaven provides aged care services across metropolitan Adelaide and throughout the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Riverland, lower Barossa, Fleurieu Peninsula, and the Limestone Coast.
