LOCAL artist Kylie Stevens has been selected to create artwork for Ipswich Hospital’s Mental Health Unit which is currently under construction across the road from Ipswich Hospital.
Kylie was honored to be offered this opportunity, having witnessed firsthand how important art was in providing comfort and a visual distraction in a hospital setting.
She has titled her work “Urarra Meanders and Heals”, (Urarra is the original name for The Bremer River).
It is a 6 x 2 metre painting created in 24 panels featuring the river, depicted in copper leaf, winding through our community.
Kylie incorporates river water, hand ground ochers and limestone into her paint, giving the work and essence of the place it represents.
A subtle “you are here” symbol will provide patients, staff and visitors a meaningful way to orientate themselves to the river and the outside world from within the hospital.
The shining copper leaf is reminiscent of the Japanese artform Kintsugi, which reminds us we are stronger and more beautiful after repair, celebrating the renewal patients will undergo as they heal.
This is the biggest artwork Kylie has created to date, and it has been a massive undertaking.
The artwork is nearing completion, and she is delighted that it is all coming together just as she had imagined it.
