Held annually, Women’s Health Week is the biggest week in Australia dedicated to good health and wellbeing for women and girls. The campaign gift bags have been a colourful and practical piece for many Women’s Health Week events over past years, and this year’s is no exception, with its striking and sustainable design.

“Over recent years, our Women’s Health Week campaign has featured the works of many creative women and we are delighted that Elizabeth agreed to be involved this year,” says Brenda Jones, Women’s Health Week campaign manager.

“As a former nurse, Elizabeth understands the importance of good health and her evolution as an artist has come from reconnection with her family and cultural lands. Connection is a strong theme of this year’s campaign.

“The Women’s Health Week gift bags are an important part of the campaign, as they provide a way for women to give the gift of good health to other women by sharing resources and health information. To have the bag also feature the artwork of this incredibly talented Australian artist makes them even more meaningful.”

(Campaign special-edition gift bags are available exclusively to order by event hosts, while stocks last. Learn more about hosting an event.)

Elizabeth Yanyi Close is a Panaka Skin Anangu woman from the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara language groups, with family links to the communities of Pukutja and Amata in the APY Lands (Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara).

Elizabeth was born in Adelaide, but grew up in outback South Australia, returning to Adelaide to complete her secondary schooling, and attend university to complete a Bachelor of Nursing and a Graduate Certificate in Emergency Nursing. Elizabeth worked as a registered nurse in the emergency department of a busy Adelaide hospital for a decade, while using art as a means of processing the intergenerational trauma and its impact on her family.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Elizabeth Close Arts (@elizabethclosearts)

In 2007, Elizabeth began to paint professionally and exhibit her work throughout Adelaide. Her practice organically grew as she balanced nursing, art and motherhood and by 2014 had built up a full-time arts practice. Earlier this year, Elizabeth was also asked to create the guernsey for the Adelaide Crows AFLW team to celebrate the AFL’s Indigenous round.

After the birth of their second child, Elizabeth and her husband decided to move home to the APY so they could immerse their children in their culture and language. Elizabeth reconnected with much of her grandmother’s family and learned much more about her family, her Tjukurpa and her Country from her Tjamu. This growth as an Aboriginal woman was profoundly reflected in the evolution of her artwork.

Elizabeth is based in Adelaide and has three Purungu Skin Anangu children – Isaiah Yungana, Emmeline Tjikatu and Bentji Nganantju – and a dingo with no tail.

www.elizabethclosearts.com

About Women’s Health Week

Women’s Health Week is the biggest week in Australia focusing on good health and wellbeing for women and girls. Held in September (6-10 September), the health awareness campaign is a timely reminder for women to take positive and proactive steps to being healthy in mind and body.

Sign up now to receive campaign updates. During the week, subscribers will be given access to free podcasts, quizzes, videos, recipes and practical health articles. Check in on your health and wellbeing this Women’s Health Week 6-10 September 2021. 

Women’s health. Powerful stuff.™

About Jean Hailes

Jean Hailes for Women's Health is a national not-for-profit organisation. We have a unique model, built on four pillars: education and knowledge exchange; clinical care; research; and policy. We aim to translate the latest scientific and medical evidence to help inspire positive change in women and girls by improving their physical health and wellbeing. Jean Hailes produces evidence-based information reviewed by clinicians. In 2016, Jean Hailes was officially recognised as the Federal Government's national digital gateway for women's health.

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For more information on Jean Hailes or Women’s Health Week please contact Caroline Cottrill on 0438 257 246 or email caroline.cottrill@jeanhailes.org.au.