By Fiona Clark, St John of God Midland
St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals will be the focus of a major public art program from 2015 onwards, with 13 Western Australian artists recently awarded a series of public artwork commissions to the value of $1 million.
All 11 artworks respond to the themes of journeys or spiritus and are in design development, with installation planned from mid-2015. They range from a towering, illuminated sculpture at the main entry to delicate murals in maternity and paediatrics.
The Public Art Strategy was developed by FORM, a non-profit cultural organisation that develops and advocates for excellence in creativity and artistic practice, as part of the
State Government’s Percent for Art program to enhance public buildings and support local artists.
Not only will patients, visitors and staff enjoy the artwork, the community will also benefit as the majority of the pieces will be in public areas of the hospital and grounds.
Several artists hail from the hospitals’ catchment area: they are Peter Dailey of
Woodbridge and Aboriginal artists Deborah Bonar of Ballajura and Peter and Miranda
Farmer of Bassendean.
The hospitals’ CEO, Dr Glen Power, said, “The artwork at Midland is part of a wider initiative and growing determination within St John of God Health Care to emphasise the value that the arts play in enhancing the holistic health, healing and wellbeing for each individual in our care as well as in the broader community.”
The hospitals will not only integrate artworks by Western Australian artists across the site, they will also offer a program of arts events, performances and cultural activities, supporting a vibrant community in the heart of Midland.