The Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment project is pleased to announce Kirli Saunders OAM as the first artist selected for the hospital redevelopment Arts program. Kirli’s artwork will feature at the North Street Entry and will pay homage to Country including the much-loved Blackbutt Tree on the hospital grounds.

The artist was appointed through a culturally informed tender process in line with NSW State Government procurement guidelines and advice from local Aboriginal stakeholders.

The artwork will celebrate the local landscape, incorporating the sacred bends of the Shoalhaven River, the ripples of saltwater, and the graceful intersection of eucalyptus branches. The artwork will bring together natural, cultural and architectural elements to create an immersive experience that connects staff, patients and visitors with Country, Culture, and Community.

Hailing from the Amato, Micham, Russell, and Hoskins families of the South Coast, Shoalhaven and Sydney’s eastern suburbs, Kirli Saunders is a proud Gunai artist with strong ties to the South Coast community of NSW. Kirli is committed to ensuring the design process is culturally informed through engagement with the hospital’s Aboriginal Staff Advisory Group, Elders and the local Aboriginal community.

In February 2025, Artists with a connection to the Shoalhaven region were invited to submit an expression of interest to take part in the arts program. We were delighted to receive 45 submissions and were blown away by the creativity, talent and passion among the local arts community.

A panel of industry professionals and local community stakeholders are continuing to review the applications against the selection criteria and government procurement requirements, and we look forward to announcing more artists as we progress through selection.

Find out more in the Arts Fact Sheet.