Patients and children with ancestral links to the Bidjigal people have lent a creative hand to the artwork for the northern entry of the new children's hospital building at Randwick. 

Titled Wish Upon a Star, the artwork is being created by artists Dennis Golding and Carmen Glynn-Braun of The Re-Right Collective. 

The work features two concepts: a mural on the entrance ceiling representing the night sky and star shell-shaped sculptures along the columns, co-created with local children. 

"The concept firstly celebrates the Bidjigal women's practice of shell artwork, but we wanted to engage with local youth from the area and young people who have ancestral ties to this country and the Bidjigal women," said Dennis. 

"It has cultural significance as well as giving you an automatic feeling of just feeling better and having space away from things like dealing with illness," added Carmen. 

The duo, who formed their artistic collective after meeting at university, began the co-creation process in April with a series of workshops at the SCH Hospital School and La Perouse Public School. 

Students of varied ages were given starry shell images and asked to create a clay form from a drawing, using locally collected items like shells to create shapes. 

The work will be turned into moulds that undergo a bisque firing and gold glazing. 

"We wanted to lend our knowledge to our young collaborators to learn a new medium and to use their hands to create something beautiful," said Dennis. 

"The idea is to uplift people and give them the opportunity to tell stories," said Carmen. 

An essential part of the workshops was connecting the young artists with Dharawal elder and Aboriginal Health worker Aunty Lola Ryan, who provided cultural guidance. 

"You can get the starry shells from the ocean and along the beach, and it's also a connection to the stars in the sky at night," Aunty Lola said. 

"There's a connection to our people because stars guided them in the nighttime to get them through the bush," she explained. 

La Perouse Public School student, 11-year-old Kai, was among the young artists who took part. 

"It's good because we are showing off our culture in different places, and it will make things more cultural,” Kai said. 

Many children, like 10-year-old Hospital School student Asra, are excited to see their artwork displayed when the hospital opens. 

"Sometimes if you're sick, you have to stay in hospital for days, so children could walk out and see the art. It makes them feel happy and excited." 

Dennis and Carmen will also feel a sense of excitement when they see the design come to life in the new building. 

"It will just be amazing to see something that was made by our hands. The children get to grow up with the artwork as well, so in 50 years' time, they will be able to come back and walk past the street where they can see their hand marking in the shells," said Dennis. 

Read more about the redevelopment project here and the Arts, Play and Discovery Project, led by City People, here.