Kayla Arabena-Byrnes

Proud descendant of the Meriam Mer Peoples in the Torres Strait, Kayla is a medical doctor who graduated from the University of Queensland in 2017, working in Brisbane before moving to Denmark in 2020.

Kayla Arabena-Byrnes

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural and Health Training Framework > Artworks > Kayla Arabena-Byrnes

“When I was younger, I was always inspired by and loved creating art, but never had the chance to focus solely on it. I found while studying medicine that creating ‘artistic’ study notes of basic human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology was one of the best ways for me to learn.”

“While waiting for my medical registration to be approved here, I’ve started to create anatomy-inspired images based off our stories, our internal structures and our barriers in healthcare.”

Growing up in an Torres Strait Islander family, with many family members having chronic medical conditions, the disconnect between Indigenous Australians and the healthcare sector has always been evident forArabena-Byrnes.

“In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait People were rarely made to feel welcome or represented in healthcare settings. And historically medical institutions have caused generational harm to my People. But I hope by reclaiming Indigenous knowledge, stories and representation through medical-based art that we can find a way to bridge the divide between patient and provider and learning about ourselves and our bodies in the process.”

Ouroboros ‘Cultural Safety’

In this artwork, Kayla seeks to express the symbolism of the Ouroboros Serpent, a motif resonating deeply within many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The ouroboros works as a metaphor for the journey toward cultural safety and symbolises awareness, sensitivity, competency, and safety in cross-cultural interactions.

The Serpent illustrates the ongoing commitment to acknowledging and respecting cultural differences and engaging in the self-reflection of dynamics within our healthcare areas.

The vibrant colours and dynamic patterns within the Serpent’s body are inspired by the landscapes and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Kayla uses rich and diverse earth tones within the snake to represent Aboriginal culture, while the precise and contrasting linework is used to symbolise Torres Strait Islander culture. Just as the Serpent renews the land and creates new life, the framework for cultural safety aims to nurture and sustain the well-being of our communities. By embracing the teachings of the Rainbow Serpent and the wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, we can foster healthcare environments where all can thrive and feel genuinely safe.

Pyramid ‘Education and Training’

In ‘Education and Training’, Kayla explores the influence of the Rainbow Serpent, the creator being in many Aboriginal cultures, representing knowledge and cultural learning. The artwork features the Serpent as a pyramid, representing crucial layers in the learning process: connection, reinforcing, scaffolding, immersion, and relational. These layers focus on the importance of being connected to one’s beliefs, continuous reflection, building upon experiences, cultural immersion, and the holistic concept of interconnectedness.

The vibrant colours and intricate patterns within the Serpent reflect the landscapes and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Using rich and diverse earth tones within the snake to represent Aboriginal culture, the precise and contrasting linework is used to symbolise Torres Strait Islander culture. “The Serpent’s transformative ability reflects the power of education, renewal, and nurturing what is sacred to our communities.” ‘Education and Training’ emphasises the need to surround guiding principles in cultural safety within our healthcare environments, by fostering spaces where all can thrive and feel safe.