The ACT Government has appointed four artists, including three locally based artists, to help enhance public spaces at the Canberra Hospital Expansion Project’s new Critical Services Building.
A diverse range of professional artists have been selected to create a suite of exceptional artworks across four priority sites:
- Hannah Quinlivan will create artwork for the main public corridor, linking the new Welcome Hall to the Critical Services Building. Hannah’s artwork celebrates the significant bodies of water in and around Canberra and the life that they bring to the city.
- Kate Vasallo’s artwork will feature on internal walls including patient bays, visitor waiting areas and staff stations. Kate’s style includes a suite of unique two-dimensional artworks.
- Musonga Mbogo will create artwork for the emergency department paediatric spaces. Musonga focuses on diversity, celebrating identity, and a sense of self and aims to create a place where everyone feels welcome.
- Peta Kruger’s artwork will feature in an outdoor courtyard and green space for patients, visitors and staff. Peta creates bright and playful sculptural works informed by her previous experience as a graphic and jewellery designer.
Last year the ACT Government undertook a procurement process to engage an art consultant, Creative Road, to help identify suitable artists to deliver art for the Canberra Hospital Expansion Project.
A wide range of artists with diverse art practices and backgrounds was considered for the project with artists invited to prepare artwork concept proposals.
Successful artists were assessed against a curatorial framework by an expert panel that included representatives from Arts ACT, Healthcare Consumers Association, Canberra Hospital Foundation, and other arts industry representatives.
Artists will work intensively over the coming months with Creative Road, architectural partner BVN and hospital delivery partner Multiplex to further develop, refine and finalise their art for installation in the new Critical Services Building.
In the coming months, First Nation artists will also be appointed to create artworks for the Critical Services Building. They will be tasked with creating art for the building’s Welcome Hall which will be the new focal point of the hospital campus and will include the hospital’s new main reception.
The ACT Government has made a significant investment of $1.8 million to create art that will form part of the identity of the Canberra Hospital, that helps to enhance wellbeing and contributes to a sense of inclusiveness and diversity for patients, staff and visitors.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith
“The Arts Strategy for the Critical Services Building aims to enhance the delivery of healthcare services and contribute to a healing and inclusive sense of place for our diverse Canberra community.
“The artwork under development will consider the needs of a diverse range of people who move through the hospital setting including being dementia friendly and considerate of people with sensory disabilities such as autism.
“As people move throughout the new building and surrounds they will be able to enjoy unique spaces where they can gather and reflect on their wellbeing journey in a more comfortable and supportive environment.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Arts Tara Cheyne:
“It’s fantastic we have so many Canberra based artists commissioned for this project.
“We wanted the Canberra community to have the chance to really put their stamp on the new facilities they will be be using and I look forward to seeing the artwork of local Canberrans feature prominently in this new hospital building.”
Quotes attributed to Rebecca Townsend, Director, Creative Road:
“The link between art and both physical and mental health outcomes around the world is well recognised.
“The Canberra Hospital Expansion Project understands the value of art in the psychology of healing and wellbeing.
“A diverse range of professional artists has been selected to create a suite of exceptional artworks which address priority sites and engage patients, staff and visitors.”
Detailed information on each artist is available on the Canberra Hospital Expansion website.
