Encounters

Project Partner:
Charlotte Donovan, Artist in Residence, Triskel, St. Finbarr’s Hospital, Pfizer

Contact:
www.triskelart.com

Date: Year-long
Venue: St. Finbarr’s Hospital

Credit Ger McCarthy

Project Description:
This unique initiative between Triskel and St. Finbarr’s ran throughout 2005 and aimed to ensure that patients, staff and visitors of the hospital would be active participants in the cultural life of their city.

The Artist in Residence, Charlotte Donovan, worked with local and international artists and arts organisations to develop and present work throughout the year. She spent considerable time consulting with potential participants to ensure that each of the departments on the site felt actively engaged with the project. Many of the art projects were a direct result of this consultation.

Many of the projects resulting from the residency were celebrated and exhibited during ‘The Feast of St. Finbarr’s’, held on the 25 September. Several art projects and installations were created for this open day which attracted over 2500 members of the public. The grounds of the hospital were transformed with a farmers market, craft stalls and a marquee with musical and dramatic entertainment and art activities. Other outputs included the many artworks produced and exhibited both in the hospital and in Triskel during 2005, a site-specific sound installation at the former Magdalene Laundry on the hospital site, the production of a music CD and the transformation of a dull courtyard with a giant mural.

The residency was a tremendous success, demonstrating that access to and participation in the arts not only enriches the quality of life for people in hospital, but also can actually improve health and wellbeing and self-esteem. The Health Service Executive has continued the relationship with Triskel and continues to produce new and exciting projects.