From Wagga to Westmead

Riverina artist Rach Viski was principal artist for the envirographics program at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead’s new Wattle Building, illustrating original artwork co-created with children whose drawings, textures and markings are woven through 5,000 square metres of clinical spaces.

Rach Viski, Founder Minta Viski. Photo Credit: Matt Beaver

Rach Viski was commissioned by Health Infrastructure on behalf of the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network and spent the past two years working from her studio at The Station, the home of Eastern Riverina Arts in Wagga Wagga. She illustrated original artwork drawn from the surrounding river landscape, developed in collaboration with Frost* Collective, whose wayfinding and implementation work brought the designs across corridors and clinical areas of the new 14-storey building.

“The inspiration was to bring the outside in,” Rach said. “The biophilic design principles throughout the floors encompass the river, so wherever you are, you can be under the river, on the river or above the river.”

Designed for children of all ages, the scenes reveal playful details of animals and plants at different heights and along different sight lines, encouraging exploration and discovery throughout the building. The work was co-created with 190 patients, families and staff - their drawings, textures and markings incorporated through workshops at outpatient clinics, Ronald McDonald House, The Starlight Express Room, and at Westmead Public School and Bayanami Public School in Parramatta.

Photo Credit: Matt Beaver

“This is a proud moment for us. Rach chose to build her practice here in Wagga, and is now seeing her work installed across one of the most significant children’s hospitals in the country, all delivered from a studio at The Station. It’s a powerful reminder that ambitious, nationally significant art can absolutely be made in the regions, by artists who are deeply rooted in their place.” Ashleigh Baxter, Executive Director, Eastern Riverina Arts.

The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Redevelopment Program Director, Cassie Hainsworth said what sets this work apart is its foundation in co-creation with children themselves. “Rather than imposing adult ideas of what children need, Rach listened deeply and created spaces that feel calm, hopeful, and connected to the families we care for. The result is transformative,” Cassie said.

The Children’s Hospital at Westmead provides quality care and clinical services to approximately 90,000 sick and injured children each year, from across NSW and the Pacific.

About Rach Viski 

Rach Viski is a Riverina born and raised artist who grew up on 4,000 acres near Ardlethan and is based at The Station in Wagga Wagga, where she is a long-term tenant of Eastern Riverina Arts. Her practice draws on the rivers, landscapes and wildlife of regional NSW. Previous envirographics commissions include Wagga Wagga Base Hospital (2015) and Griffith Base Hospital (2025).

Program Team

• Client - Health Infrastructure

• Delivery Partner - Sydney Children’s Hospital Network

• Project Management - Scyne Advisory

• Builder - Roberts Co.

• Architect & Interior Design - Billard Leece Partnership

• Wayfinding and implementation - Frost* Collective

• Fabricators - Scaffad

Media contacts 

Rach Viski: Artist rach@mintaviski.com.au

Ashleigh Baxter: Executive Director, Eastern Riverina exec@easternriverinaarts.org.au

Olivia Axford: Communications and Engagement Manager, Redevelopment,