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Sky 1 – 32 by Michael Durand
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Since 1991, with the commissioning of Remco de Fouw’s highly acclaimed Quintess-ometry in the foyer of Waterford Regional Hospital, public art has been central to the work of the Trust. Quintess-ometry is an engaging visual and kinetic diversion for the many of the people passing through the hospital. It comprises an imaginative five-part installation based on the theme of the four elements, in balance and harmony, reflecting the qualities of health. The central feature of the artwork acts as a focus in the entrance area while other elements bring the viewer from outside right into the building.
Other commissions include Janet Mullarney’s wood carved Couple on a Bench and Declan Breen’s High and Dry, which was commissioned in celebration of the new millennium. Both pieces have also become visual icons for Waterford Regional Hospital. The Healing Garden was made with the aim of creating a quiet retreat in the hospital grounds. Designed by Saturio Alfonso and Aifric Gray, it is based on research into places of ritual, especially holy wells in the South East of Ireland.
In a move to bring art closer to the site of assessment and treatment of patients and reduce anxiety accordingly, back-lit artworks by Aidan Dunne, Brigid Teehan, Mary Grehan and Annabel Konig can now be seen in the ceilings of the Colposcopy clinics and the Assessment and Examination rooms of the Paediatrics ward.
Sky 1-32 is a series of photographic images of the sky by Michael Durand which was commissioned by WHAT in partnership with the Haematology and Oncology Ward and funded by private donations to the ward. The images, many of which were taken from airplanes, are presented as wall-based framed pieces and back-lit ceiling images throughout the ward. The central piece is a large and striking image of a jet trail at the Nurses’ Station.
WHAT also worked in partnership the Physiotherapy Department and the Paediatrics ward on commissioning John O’Connor and Raul Vicente respectively to produce innovative, integrated artworks for these areas that meet the specific needs of the Department.
Through the Percent for Art Scheme, Michael Durand was commissioned to produce a series of photographs entitled Consultations & Observations for the WHAT Centre for Arts & Health. Michael has created a collection of photographs of Waterford city and county, its people and its places.
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