Public Art

Create and Relate, 2023
Mental Health Unit, Ipswich Hospital

Ipswich Mental Health Unit and Arts in Health Queensland invited applications from artists to develop a Youth Art Project to create artworks to be installed in two locations of the new facility including two levels of glazed walls near the gymnasium and a ping pong table. ‘Create and Relate’ is a collaboration with senior art students at West Moreton Anglican College. Developed through an artist led workshop with students this work forges a connection with young people and emerging artists in the community.

This connection is important because it helps to create unique artwork outcomes that will comfort and inspire patients and promote a welcoming environment. During this workshop we discussed common mental health concerns and how making and viewing artwork can promote health and wellbeing. We discussed the important role of citizenship and personal experiences of community inclusion and belonging. During the session we identified individual and collective emotions and described these through artworks. Through drawing, each participant engaged in a meaningful and non-invasive activity designed to allow honest expression.

The artwork designs enrich the public space of the hospital by providing a visual reprieve for patients, families, and staff. Importantly, the artwork also profiles the talents of young and emerging artists with a connection to the West Moreton region. This approach to creating public artworks reflects the vision for this new purpose-built facility to establish a healing environment that nurtures well-being and mindfulness in collaboration with clinicians and community.

Installation Photographs: Louis Lim