Inscape Tributes 2021
Creating tribute pieces for Inscape Tasmania is pretty much one of the best gigs ever. It is so special to listen and learn from patients in the Royal Hobart Hospital — all with unique stories to tell! Here are some recent ones:
When people reflect on the special moments in their lives it’s always something simple but profound. For Sandra, it was the sound of bagpipes at her wedding, roses, the colour yellow, researching her family tree and a funny moment with her husband and a seal. It’s so fun to put these together in just a few hours and special to see their reaction to it when it’s done.
Ingrid generously shared some of the things that bring joy to her life and we immediately clicked. Sometimes that connection leads to an even more special illustration. This is the fabric of Ingrid’s life and it’s one of my favourite tribute pieces to date.
I created a tribute piece for Elizabeth- a patient at the Royal who loves nature, animals, crafts and fossicking for gemstones. It was wonderful to hear some of her favourite memories and turn them into art for her to keep.
For Colleen, it was a quilt representing her love of sewing and the fabric of her life which involved so many special things. She also had the best smile.
Inscape Tasmania
The new resident artist at the Royal Hobart Hospital with Inscape Tasmania!
I have recently added a new title to my list of ongoing freelance gigs - Resident Artist at the Royal Hobart Hospital through the beautiful Inscape Tasmania program. I am a part of their meaningful Tribute project which links illustrators and visual artists with patients on the Acute Older Person's Ward.
Hard at work in the Arts & Music room on the ward.
Here's more about the program:
Inscape is a Hobart based non-profit organisation that supports artists to work in healthcare and other non-art settings, with the aim of promoting a sense of wellbeing for health care providers, patients and families.
The Tribute Project: Through meaningful conversation our artists capture the memories and life of patients; providing a tribute to patients and visual cues that encourage greater connection between hospital staff, patients and families. The artworks provide staff with a way to recognise the person and their lives as well as to attend to necessary medical procedures. The patient and/or their families keep the artwork as a memento; and, with their permission, a copy of their artwork is exhibited in a public space at the hospital.
I spent time with each of the following patients and spoke with them about some of their favourite memories. Here are some of the tribute paintings I have created for patients at the RHH:
A piece for Susan, who loves reading, chocolates and other special things that are hinted at in this piece for her. I mix and match traditional or digital painting depending on the piece. This one is digital.
This piece for Clifford was painted in acrylics and based on this man's love for his pets and a lifetime of giving to others even when he had nothing for himself.
This painting was a special combination of dear memories, each represented in panels from her favourite cathedral in England. I also painted this one in acrylic as it suited her story more than a digital work.
This tribute piece was for a younger patient at the RHH who has traveled the world and explored different cultures on his own and with family. This one is a digital piece.
I am looking forward to meeting more amazing humans and hopefully giving them a small piece of joy during their various hospital encounters. Joining this team and hearing these stories has been one of the highlights of my freelance life. One older woman just couldn't believe that I was doing this just for her. I hope she felt as special as I did creating it for her.
More coming soon!