New Integrated Artwork at Marie Curie Hospice Launched

Tuesday 13th November 2007 at 5pm

The newly extended and refurbished Marie Curie Hospice on the Knock Road in Belfast was formally opened by Eamonn Holmes on 11 October 2007. The excellent facility includes five new major integrated art commissions which were imaginatively designed into the fabric of the publicly accessible areas over the course of its development. The design team, headed up by Derek Loughrey of Hall Black Douglas Architects, was assisted by arts consultant Jan Branch and Paul Harron (Architecture and Public Art specialist) from the Arts Council. The Arts Council supported the new works with commissioning and production grants from its National Lottery Public Art Programme (£67,000); the balance of the budget came from a range of private sponsors.

Speaking at the launch, Arts Council Chairman, Rosemary Kelly, praised the work of the enthusiastic team at Marie Curie Cancer Care and the five artists in particular, commenting that all had taken a highly sensitive approach to the hospice context, working within the theme of ‘Life and Living’. She concluded that the artworks are ‘highly pleasing, work well with architectural design and help to create a calming, attractive physical environment, with points of visual and emotional focus for patients, visitors and staff’. The works are: a garden figurative sculpture and seat by David Annand, incorporating a specially written poem generously donated by poet Seamus Heaney; glass art in the main link corridor by Paula Thompson; ceramic wall-based work on theme of Marie Curie history by Diane McCormick; glass commissions outside the Quiet Room by Killian Shurmann; and a bespoke table in the Quiet Room by Ashley Cartwright.