A striking new artwork now graces the walls of the Tweed Valley Hospital Dental Clinic, offering a cultural statement and a reflection on the role of oral health in wellbeing.
Titled Dalgal-Jam Jirung (Clean Teeth), the piece was created by Dr Gene Slockee, a local Aboriginal artist who also works with us as a Senior Medical Officer (Perioperative), at the hospital.
The work was organised by Nicole Rotumah, our Tweed–Byron Oral Health Network Coordinator. It’s a unique representation of the District’s Oral Health Service, blending traditional knowledge with modern healthcare principles.
“A lot of my artwork depicts modern medical concepts through the lens of First Nations philosophies,” Gene said.
“Nicole’s family and my own have been close since before we were born. We wanted to create a piece of artwork that shows the work she and her team have done to care for our community and our dental care needs.”
At the centre of the painting is the Dalagan (white myrtle), a native plant traditionally used to ease toothaches and clean wounds.
The Dalagan is surrounded by symbols of healthy living, such as waterholes and native foods like Jamburihn (finger lime), Yuli (native pig face) and Gumbar (macadamia nut).
Each forms part of the traditional diet and lifestyle of Aboriginal peoples in Northern NSW.
The dot circles represent the kinship of the Goodjinburra, Moorung-Mobar and Tul-gi-gan peoples in the Tweed area, reflecting how care can ripple through families and communities.
As a doctor and an artist, Gene sees art as an important bridge between culture and health.
“I think representation is one of the most important aspects of health that is not really acknowledged by the wider community,” Gene said.
“Even more underappreciated are First Nations perspectives of health and how they are protective against physical, biological and psychological harm.
“Art and representation allow First Nations perspectives the respect and admiration they deserve, while allowing the wider Australian community to value these ideals and how they can also help with their understanding of their own health.
“Art connects thousands of years of history, teaching and learning to our future in health.”
Displaying the artwork in a clinical setting was deliberate. Gene said it echoes the work of pioneers like Dr Noel Hayman, Qld’s first Aboriginal doctor.
“Noel revolutionised the Inala Health Service to be more representative of the First Nations community,” Gene said.
“He displayed artwork in clinical spaces that support patients to feel they belong in a certain space and by virtue of belonging more, people who need the health service access it more.”
Gene believes Dalgal-Jam Jirung will have a similar impact here.
“Displaying this piece of work in a clinical space softens the area, making it less clinical and more representative and safer for community who can thereby access it for their dental needs,” he said.
Ultimately, Gene hopes the artwork resonates with patients and staff.
“Whenever I create a piece of art for a clinical space, I want staff to see how their work can influence change at a community or societal level,” he said.
“I also want them to feel something ever greater than themselves that they are contributing to.
“For community, it’s to create a sense of belonging so they can come to the dental clinic and be seen both personally and culturally, not just as a patient.”