Four artists, including three locally based artists, have been chosen to produce works to enrich the public spaces of the Canberra Hospital’s new Critical Service Building, part of the Canberra Hospital Expansion Project.

A diverse range of artists, practices and backgrounds were considered with artists invited to prepare artwork concept proposals.

The following artists were selected to create the artworks:

• Hannah Quinlivan will create artwork for the main public corridor, linking the new Welcome Hall to the Critical Services Building. Hannah’s artwork celebrates the significant bodies of water in and around Canberra and the life that they bring to the city.
• Kate Vassallo’s artwork will feature on internal walls including patient bays, visitor waiting areas and staff stations. Kate’s style includes a suite of unique two-dimensional artworks.
• Musonga Mbogo will create artwork for the emergency department paediatric spaces. Musonga focuses on diversity, celebrating identity, and a sense of self and aims to create a place where everyone feels welcome.
• Peta Kruger’s artwork will feature in an outdoor courtyard and green space for patients, visitors and staff. Peta creates bright and playful sculptural works informed by her previous experience as a graphic and jewellery designer.

Artist Hannah Quinlivan found comfort in Canberra’s waterways while going through personal troubles and hopes that her water inspired art will have a similar effect for visitors to the new building.

“I have given birth in Canberra Hospital twice. I almost lost my life there. And I have spent many hours as a carer for my mother who was treated for terminal cancer in Canberra Hospital,” Hannah said.

“When my mother was being treated for terminal cancer, when I wasn't with her, I spent a lot of time by the Murrumbidgee to heal my troubled heart. I found great comfort in that space.

“Often, if you are in hospital, you can feel very separated from the outside world. Things that often can be calming, comforting, or healing in times of hardship can be out of reach. I thought that maybe I could try and bring a small element of that into the hospital space.”

Artists will work intensively over the coming months to further develop, refine and finalise their art for installation.

First Nation artists will also be appointed to create art for the Critical Services Building’s Welcome Hall, which will be the new focal point of the hospital campus and will include the hospital’s new main reception.

More information about each artist is available on the Canberra Hospital Expansion website.

To find out more about the Canberra Hospital Expansion Project, visit builtforCBR.act.gov.au