About the artwork

The healing journey

The Journey toward Healing

At the centre of the artwork is the Clearinghouse. The black half-circles are the people who come to the Clearinghouse for information about mental health and suicide prevention. The waves of red, yellow and white dots surrounding the inner circle represent strength and healing, and the footprints represent the journey towards healing. The red and white circles around the edge represent different programs and policies aimed at helping people heal. The hands represent success and wellbeing.

About the artist

Linda Huddleston (Nungingi)

Linda is a renowned Aboriginal artist with a connection to the Ngandi language group in the Roper River region of East Arnhem Land through her father’s people. Her grandfather, the late Harry Huddleston, was a traditional owner from Burrungu (Ruin City). Her grandmother Florence Croft was taken as a baby from her birthplace in the Tanami desert of Central Australia and adopted into Ngandi way of life. This has given Linda a connection to her grandmother, Lily Nangala’s dreamings.

Linda's grandparents and father were moved under the government's forced assimilation policy from Groote Eylandt after the bombing of Darwin 1941 to Mulgoa, near Warragamba Dam. Born in Katoomba, NSW, Linda also has cultural ties with the Wiradjuri tribe of NSW through her mother’s people from the Talbragar people, Dubbo.

Linda’s paintings are based on the custodial country and the stories associated with it. The traditional Rarrk, or crosshatch design, is used to depict totems and spirits relating to real-life activities such as hunting, fishing, singing and dancing. These images are from the teachings of the ancestors on survival and social infrastructure.

Linda has been exhibiting her art work at venues in Darwin, Canberra and the local Markets in Canberra for the past 10 years.

Clearinghouse icons

Artwork	Description
	Social & emotional wellbeing The circle in the middle is a campfire and the circles with the dots around it represent different tribes. The U-shape represent people sitting around the campfire sharing culture with other tribes and speaking in language.
	Mental health Creating art helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with mental health; they begin their journey towards healing through painting.
	Suicide prevention The circles with dots represent the artist's elders from all over, protecting her and guiding her through her journey towards healing. The circles with dots also represent the services available for people dealing with mental health and suicide awareness.
	Family & community The circle in the middle is the community and the surrounding ‘U’ shapes are the people.
	Culture, Country & spirituality This artwork represents people sitting around the campfire sharing culture and speaking in Aboriginal language. The circle in the middle is a campfire and the surrounding ‘U’ shapes are the people.
	Physical health This artwork represents that heart disease is common among Aboriginal people.
	Housing homelessness The circle in the middle represents the home and the surrounding ‘U’ shapes are the people who are experiencing homelessness.
	Education & employment This artwork represents the journey of digging tracks.
	Service provision The circle in the centre represents the main office and the surrounding dots are the different health services available.
	Data sources This artwork represents a message stick going from tribe to tribe.
	Recommended resources This artwork represents hands with a heart meeting place.
	Glossary The goanna represents a totem; every tribe has a totem.
	Abbreviations This artwork represents kangaroo prints, people and mountains.
	Access data This artwork represents footprints gone walkabout.
	Publications This artwork represents the boomerangs meeting place.
	Research & evaluation register This artwork represents a meeting place for tribes and people. The circle in the middle is the main office, and the dots surrounding it are different services.
	About the Clearinghouse This artwork represents the brain surrounded by tribes.
	About the AIHW This artwork represents the meeting place of the head, love and heart.