Kirralee Nicolle
1 April 2023
An Australian Anglican nurse hopes to draw attention to the work of key aid organisations in Ethiopia through her portrayal in an entry to the 2023 Archibald Prize.
Valerie Browning AM said she wanted Australians viewing the painting to appreciate the uniqueness of the region and feel compelled to give to help alleviate food insecurity and address urgent medical needs.
Ms Browning has been working in the Afar region, a remote part of Ethiopia for more than 35 years. She was recently the subject of a painting by Kirsty Neilson, a New South Wales-based portrait artist and three-time Archibald finalist. Neilson has previously painted former Australian of the Year Grace Tame and TV personality Ita Buttrose.
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Ms Browning said while she was uncomfortable with the focus the painting brought on her, she agreed as a way of raising awareness of the needs within the area.
“I did [it] not out of my own interest,” she said. “I would have far preferred to refuse.”
Ms Browning said she recognised reaching an Australian audience looked different to reaching an Ethiopian one and saw the benefits of an artwork of this kind.
“Our Australian way of waking people up is very different to what it is here,” she said. “It’s a very individual-centred thing [in Australia].”
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As part of her work, Ms Browning founded the Barbara May Memorial Hospital and the Afar Pastoralist Development Association, providing those in the region with medical assistance, emergency relief and visibility across the world.
Ms Browning said food insecurity and inflation following drought and severe conflict were leading to many in the region having little chance of survival. She said at least 80 per cent of the population were dependent on food assistance, and due to weakness had lost much of their immunity to disease. Ms Browning said she personally lacked the resources to visit some of the most remote places to provide care.
“We’ve got raging measles and whooping cough,” she said. “We need assistance at the moment urgently to vaccinate people.”
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Ms Browning said all donations to the cause were helpful.
“At the end of the day, whether you are the poor widow putting one coin in the collection box or rich, we’re not supporting the improvement of the world if we don’t give our support,” she said.
The finalists for the Archibald Prize 2023 will be announced after entries close on 31 March. To give to Valerie Browning’s work in Ethiopia, visit anglicanoverseasaid.org.au/support-valerie-brownings-work-in-ethiopia/.
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