Musgrave Park Children’s Ward gets a new urban feel today with the installation of a new street art wall.
The wall design is the genius of Kev Largy, street artist and mentor to the Urban Arts Academy based at the Belfast Waterfront, and it brings a sunny, happy feel to the reception area at the hospital.
Kev’s style focuses on the use of core orange-based colours, swirling spirals, circles and curves to create the rabbits, teddy bears and that come to life on the 8m long wall.
Speaking on behalf the academy, Adam Turkington, Arts & Community Coordinator, Belfast Waterfront, said: “Most people now accept the essential role that art plays in our society, but often contemporary culture is the poor cousin, seen as transitory and even sometimes inherently negative. Our work at UAA shows the impact that these art forms can have socially and economically at a personal level and to the whole of society.”
The wall was created at the recent Arts & Business ‘Investing in the Arts’ reception at the Belfast Harbour Commissioners’ Office, which was sponsored by Ulster Bank. It was always that the wall should find a good home, where its intrinsic fun, colour and creativity can bring pleasure to a wide audience.
Commenting on the inspiration behind the choice of street art at the event, Mary Trainor, Director, Arts & Business NI, said: “Both A&B and Ulster Bank were keen to place the modern world firmly within the historic splendour of the Harbour Commissioners’ building. For us, showcasing the urban street culture and the work of the Urban Arts Academy; themselves a recipient of an Arts & Business Reach investment grant, made a very positive statement about the value of the arts in addressing social issues and engaging young people.”
Cheryl Bleakley, Artist in Residence, Musgrave Park Hospital, is also very enthusiastic about the difference the wall, and other arts projects will make to all those visiting the ward saying: "ArtsCare at Musgrave Park Hospital were delighted by this donation to Children's Ward. We have already received many positive comments from patients, staff and visitors about how colourful the work is and how much it 'lifts' this space. ArtsCare have received funding from Health Improvement to invite back the artists involved. They will work with patients in the Children's Ward over the summer holiday to design and paint a mural in the courtyard outside the ward."
While Sister Laurie Jones, Ward Manager also appreciates the different the art wall makes to the environment of the ward saying: " The artwork looks fantastic in this space. It really inspires the imagination."