Artist – Michael Greenlaw
The Sun Setting Over Bantry Bay
Bantry General Hospital, St. Joseph’s Unit
Arts for Health participants at Bantry General Hospital, St. Joseph’s Unit, spent last summer working with visual artist Michael Greenlaw to create a new mural for the hospital wall.
Following on from a wonderful mural completed by the residents with Michael a few years previous, staff at St. Joseph’s Unit suggested that another mural would help to brighten the hospital corridors. A double benefit, the mural could also be used as a focal point so that some residents would find it easier to navigate the space.
Discussions & Designing
During their first session together, the group discussed what the mural would look like. They spoke about undersea images; the colours of water, jellyfish, and sea urchins. Conversation continued around the range of colours that can be found in ditches and in evening skies. One resident drew a periwinkle, while others painted sunsets. Life on land and at sea came together under Bantry Bay’s beautiful setting sun.
Michael made a miniature version of the curved hospital wall. With this, the group experimented with different ideas, adding new elements, and adjusting the design. Michael left sketches in the hospital after the first few sessions to let other residents, family members, and staff see what the plan was, and come up with their own suggestions. After a few weeks of discussion, it was time to put paint to wall!
Time To Paint!
As the painting began, residents gathered around the wall to watch Michael work, and to discuss the project as it progressed. The mural content sparked conversations between Michael and the residents. Later, Michael described and talked through exactly what he was doing, explaining what colours he was going to mix and why. After a few weeks of painting, chatting, cups of tea, and hard work, the mural was complete!
The mural is a defining feature of the corridor. Each element came from conversations with St. Joseph’s residents, and brings together people’s stories and experiences. Michael hopes to continue to create murals in different hospitals and other healthcare settings, to act as navigational aids, to make the spaces feel more homely, and ‘to provide channels for depicting residents’ stories and stimulating conversations between people.’
Timeframe
This project took place from June to September 2024.
Testimonies
‘It’s a work of art!’ – Participant
Images by Catherine Weld.
This project was supported by Arts for Health Partnership Programme.