Landmark tapestry unveiled in the new Footscray Hospital

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – A landmark tapestry has now been installed in the main entry of the new Footscray Hospital, ready to welcome patients, staff and visitors when the hospital opens on 18 February.

Titled Welcome to Country – now you see me: seeing the invisible and designed by celebrated First Nations artists Maree Clarke (Yorta Yorta/Wamba Wamba/Mutti Mutti/Boonwurrung) and Mitch Mahoney (Boonwurrung/Barkindji), the vibrant work is inspired by microscopic images of river reeds from the nearby Maribyrnong River.

New Footscray Hospital Project Chair, Plenary Health Kelvyn Lavelle said the tapestry is a cornerstone of the hospital’s public art program.

“The tapestry is part of several pieces of public art at the new hospital that will not only complement the architectural aspects, but importantly, will foster calmness and cultural safety in the hospital environment. This beautiful Welcome to Country tapestry will welcome all visitors and patients to the new hospital.”

The tapestry weaves together themes of connection to Country, culture and safe passage.

“The river reed, traditionally for Boon Wurrung people, were given as necklaces for people passing through Country as a sign of safe passage and friendship,” says Ms Clarke.

“The whole basis for this work… present in the foyer of the hospital, is a sign of safe passage within this space,” adds Mr Mahoney. “Hospitals are almost always where you enter the world and often where you exit the world, and so this work is supposed to encompass this idea of safe passage in both those areas of life.”

“I had a real moment, seeing it… knowing, I could bring my kids, grandkids, in the future and be able to say that I was a part of it… It’s a big deal to have our work here, on Country,” says Mr Mahoney.

Spanning 42 square metres and weighing 135 kilograms, the three-dimensional tapestry is one of the largest ever created for a public hospital in Victoria.

It incorporates more than 270 kilometres of wool and took a dedicated team of 14 Victorian-based weavers, dyeing specialists and support staff at the Australian Tapestry Workshop more than 10,000 hours over 14 months to complete.

Footscray Community Arts Artistic Director and CEO Daniel Santangeli said, “As Footscray Community Arts marks 50 years in the community, we’re proud to serve as the arts partner for the new Footscray Hospital. The artworks reflect Footscray’s rich history and strong sense of community, and it’s been a privilege to help bring them to life. Congratulations to Maree Clarke, Mitch Mahoney and all the weavers – it’s an honour to see their work embedded in the fabric of the western suburbs.”

The tapestry is a collaboration between Plenary Health, the official arts partner for the new hospital Footscray Community Arts, the Australian Tapestry Workshop, and the Tapestry Foundation of Australia, in collaboration with the Victorian Health Building Authority and Western Health.

The $1.5 billion new Footscray Hospital, being delivered by Plenary Health in partnership with the Victorian Government and Western Health, will transform healthcare for communities across Melbourne’s west.

The new hospital is set to open to patients on 18 February 2026.