First Nations artist Lisa Michl Ko-manggén says it’s an honour to have her artwork featured on the walls of the new Cairns Medicare Mental Health Centre in Far North Queensland.
Like many of us, mental health has touched the life of Lisa Michl - a Cairns-based artist of the Kokoberrin language group - through her friends and community.
“I’ve seen how important it is to feel supported and to have spaces that encourage healing and hope. Creating this work was a way of offering something gentle back - an invitation to breathe, to pause and to remember the strength that comes from connection,” Lisa Michl said.
“I hope the work offers a gentle moment of quiet for visitors - something that feels grounding and welcoming as they arrive. If it can provide even a small sense of comfort, reflection, or steadiness, then it is doing what I hoped it would do.”
Medicare Mental Health Centres provide community members experiencing distress with access to free walk-in holistic support for mental health and other life challenges.
Ease of access is one their key features, but Lisa Michl’s artwork, Calm Horizons, is also helping ensure the Cairns Medicare Mental Health Centre is an inclusive space that reflects the diverse community that it serves.
Calm Horizons is inspired by the endless horizons and open skies that stretch over Gimuy (Cairns) and its coastline, using gentle blues and pale yellows to evoke a sense of calm.
“I wanted to capture that moment of stillness you feel by the water – especially early in the day – when the light is soft and the world feels open, spacious and full of possibility,” she said.
“The imagery draws from both land and sea, echoing what can be found along ancient coastal trails. The saltwater mussels and shells reference shell middens and sacred markers – traces of gathering places and deep cultural continuity. They also speak to nourishment and sharing food collected with care, stories exchanged and kinship strengthened by the seaside.
“Colour is a key storyteller in the work; the gentle blues are drawn from water and open sky, offering a cooling, soothing energy. The pale yellows bring in morning light and warmth – an optimistic tone that suggests hope without overpowering the calm. Together, they create a visual space that invites people to pause, settle and breathe.”
In creating Calm Horizons, Lisa Michl said she set out to celebrate the strength found through various forms of connection.
“My approach was to work with gentle, flowing transitions and abstracted shapes so the piece could be felt as much as it is seen. The soft gradients are intentional; they create a sense of ease and steady breathing, like watching the tide move in and out,” she said.
“The message I hope to convey is that calm can be found through connection: connection to Country, to water, to family and community, and to the traditions that continue to nourish us physically and spiritually.”
As we recognise and celebrate National Reconciliation Week (27 May - 3 June), Lisa Michl’s art is a powerful reminder of the importance of connection and creating spaces where everyone feels safe, seen and supported.
At Mind, we recognise that reconciliation is an ongoing journey – one that includes listening to, valuing and embedding First Nations voices in all that we do. We are committed to ensuring the services we provide are welcoming and inclusive for all communities, and we thank Lisa Michl for sharing Calm Horizons with the Cairns Medicare Mental Health Centre.