Ewen McRae
By Ewen McRae
For 150 years, the Royal Children’s Hospital has been providing families and kids with the best possible health care, and a Caroline Springs artist is doing her bit to say thank you.
Audrey Buttigieg Cardona is painting one of the 100 sculptures that will form a new art trail next year as part of the hospital’s 150th anniversary celebrations, bringing some of her Maltese heritage to the massive showcase.
The art trail is titled ‘Me and UooUoo’, and will feature 100 distinctive fibreglass sculptures called UooUoos that will be painted by 100 different artists before being displayed across Melbourne and Geelong.
Ms Buttigieg Cardona said she was proud to be part of the celebrations.
“There was a call for submissions for this project, so I sent in my design and was very happy to be accepted,” she said.
“I have been to the Royal Children’s Hospital on two occasions with one of my kids, and the staff there were fantastic, and I know of people who have used the hospital more extensively, so I wanted to give something back to them for the great work that they do.
“My design is from my Maltese heritage, and it’s based off a traditional Maltese boat and with traditional colours and designs.
“And it also features a Maltese Cross on the top, which is used pretty much all over the world on ambulances, because it comes from the knights of Malta, or the knights of St John, who looked after sick people.”
The launch of the art trail has been delayed due to the ongoing pandemic, and will run from January 20 until March 21 next year.
The sculptures will then be auctioned off to raise funds for the hospital and its vital work.
“To represent all the Maltese immigrants who live here, and showcase a bit of my culture in this fantastic project is a real thrill,” Ms Buttigieg Cardona said.
“I hope people get out to see the art trail when it opens and continue to support the hospital and all the good work they do.”
Sponsorship opportunities for all the sculptures are available by emailing kate.dear@rch.org.au
