Clinical trials and Aboriginal communities

Hi, my name is Amy Kilby and I am a proud Wiradjuri woman from the Riverina NSW. I have always had a passion for art in general and as a child loved to paint and draw. But as I have grown and we've evolved into the digital age, graphic design and the digitalisation of traditional paintings and art has become my new passion.

The artwork I’ve created for the Rural, Regional and Remote Clinical Trial Enabling Program is titled Flowing Pathways. It tells a story of knowledge, care and connection in clinical trials for people in rural, regional and remote NSW and the ACT. The winding river at the heart of the piece, represents the flow of knowledge, opportunities and health pathways as they travel through rural, regional and remote communities across NSW and the ACT. The water and its ripples show how healthcare extends beyond individuals to families and communities.

Pathways marked by footsteps and animal tracks run alongside the river, symbolising the journeys taken by people, health workers and communities as they move towards better health outcomes. These tracks acknowledge experience, progress and the many paths that lead people into care, clinical trials and healing. Community symbols woven throughout the artwork represent meeting places, yarning and shared decision-making, highlighting collaboration and collective responsibility.

Elements of Country are layered throughout the piece, including campsites, mountains, sandhills and rocks and pebbles. These features ground the artwork in place and reflect the diverse landscapes across NSW and the ACT, reminding us that clinical trials can be done on Country and must be guided by Country. Flowing lines move throughout the artwork, connecting each element and representing communication, shared learning and the respectful exchange of knowledge.

The colours and textures draw directly from Country and reflect the many voices, stories and experiences that inform this work. Layered dot work adds depth and movement, reinforcing the idea that progress is built through connection, trust and care.