You, Me, Us Artwork Explained

Nginda, Ngayi, Ngali tells the story of the first five Sisters of Charity who travelled to Australia from Ireland upon hearing about the tribulations of women, children and First Nations people in Australia. They travelled by sea and pioneered a ministry to help and care for the people of Australia, regardless of race, religion, creed or gender. 

Nginda, Ngayi, Ngali represents four values aligned to the Sisters of Charity, St Vincent’s Health Australia and the mission of Reconciliation.

Nginda, Ngayi, Ngali are references found in the Jandai Language Dictionary (2011) for the words; you, me and us. 

Nginda, Ngayi, Ngali is a contemporary First Nations Community Action Project designed to promote reconciliation, peace and a positive experience within our local community. Reconciliation takes you and me; us working together.

Artist, Jennifer Kent, was commissioned by St Vincent’s Care to design a community artwork that incorporates the mission and values of both St Vincent’s and the ministry of reconciliation with a special emphasis on the five Sisters of Charity who were commissioned from Ireland to minister to Australia’s poor and the First Nations people. 

The Sisters had a heart of care for women, the poor, the imprisoned and the sick and the impact of their ministry is still felt today through the work of Mary Aikenhead Ministries various services.  

The artwork appears as one large design, however, the original is painted across four 2.4m long panels.

 
The individual panels have been gifted to the Archdiocese of Brisbane, Evangelisation Brisbane, St Vincent’s Health Australia and St Vincent’s Care.

The fish represent life and health to the many the Sisters of Charity served, and for the many lives that will benefit from their ongoing ministries well into the future.

The native fruits represent the lasting impact of the Sisters of Charity’s legacy.

The flowers represent the beauty of the Sister’s ministries, past and present.

The image below captures the whole artwork as one piece of art. However, the Artist painted the work across four separate panels (2.4m long), with each panel representing a different value. Below gives an idea of how each panel was created.

Artwork: Nginda, Ngayi, Ngali
 Artist: Ms Jennifer Kent
 Copyright: St Vincent’s Health Australia