As an Artist:

Libby’s art making practice is a means to explore questions of meaning and existence that capture her attention. Within the studio she is seeking to discover ideas, images and experiences that will extend the way she thinks, perceives and responds to these questions. Within her practice she explores that which is particular and also shared in the experience of being human, whilst seeking and sometimes finding the presence of God in those places. In this way, her studio practice is theology in the making.

As an Art Therapist:

Over the past decade Libby has worked as an art therapist in the public health sector in Melbourne, with a particular focus in Palliative Care.  Libby has specialized in assisting people to use art as a means of honouring and reflecting on significant life experiences as well as creating opportunities to develop meaningful and personal ritual in and around the experience of death. Libby now works as a Lecturer, teaching in the Art Therapy Programs at La Trobe University.

As a Theologian:

Libby completed a PhD with the University of Divinity, developing and trialling an art-based method of theological inquiry method. This work is a visual exploration of  ‘Healing Art and the Art of Healing’. She now works as an adjunct lecturer with Whitley College and an Honorary Post-Doctoral Researcher with the UD. Over the past decade, Libby has been engaged to develop liturgical images that feed the spiritual health of congregations and communities.  These images challenge and engage people with questions of ultimate concern.  Libby has engaged ‘art in ministry’ with:

• Merri Creek Anglican
• Box Hill Baptist Church.
• Brunswick Uniting Church.
• Centre for Theology and Ministry, Parkville.
• Chapel on Station Gallery, Box Hill.
• Hartwell Church of Christ.
• St John’s Anglican Church, Diamond Creek.
• St Stephen’s Anglican Church, Belmont.
• All Saints Anglican Church, Greensborough.

 Charissa Suli is a second generation Tongan Minister of the Word, ordained in 2014 she currently serves as Assembly National Consultant with the Uniting Church in Australia, she spends her time in the many different cultural communities across the Uniting Church, encouraging UCA members to be disciples of Christ and building networks of trust along the way.

Charissa has previously served as a Cross Cultural Consultant in the NSW/ACT Synod’s Board of Mission, Youth Leader in Dee Why on Sydney’s northern beaches and as Convenor of the Tongan National Conference (TNC). Her role on TNC was to mentor emerging young leaders, lead programs for youth and young adults and bridge the gap between the first and second generation Tongan community.

In her spare time, Charissa enjoys walks along the beach with her husband Langi and spending time with their four children Susitina, Liekina, Latu and Azariah.