Cairns artist offers some hope
A CAIRNS artist has collaborated with the Cancer Council to raise awareness for Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Yidindji artist Riki Salam has collaborated with the Cancer Council in the past with his artwork as part of its reconciliation action plan. But this time the organisation has used that artwork as the inspiration for a swimwear collection called Journey of Hope.
Mr Salam said this initiative was important to him as he had a personal connection with cancer.
“My mother passed away from breast cancer quite some time ago. That was really devastating for me as an individual but also for my family as well,” Mr Salam said.
“We believe there could have been preventive measures in place to help my mother through that journey.”
The swimwear collection was created to start a discussion so that people will know
more about preventive measures.
“I see the swimwear as a real talking point for people to be able to have what may be a
really hard conversation. But I think it’s a really important one to have,” Mr Salam said.
“The more we know about cancer and the disease in its
many forms, the more prepared we can be for our friends, family and ourselves.”
The inspiration behind the design was a yarning circle where knowledge is passed on from one generation to the next. Mr Salam said he incorporated the Cancer Council’s messaging into the artwork.
“It is a symbol of passing on the knowledge of what cancer is and what different cancers are and how you can best prevent those,” he said.
Cancer Council Australia chief executive Tanya Buchanan said it was important to raise awareness of the inequalities in cancer outcomes experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are 43 per cent more likely to die from cancer. It is the second most common death for them,” Ms Buchanan said.
“We are looking to start those conversations around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inequalities with cancer outcomes.”
All the money raised from the collection will support local initiatives in the community.