art and environment - our vision

Making the building a work of art

It was always the intention to involve artists in the creation of the hospital as 'a place of healing and beauty'. Following a selection process guided by Elizabeth McFall of Healthcare Arts in Dundee, Jane Kelly was appointed as Lead Artist to the Design Team at a stage when the building was still only a construction shell.

The brief to the artist was “to collaborate with the Design Team to create an harmonious interior environment which will help the process of healing”. As part of this collaboration process, Jane Kelly was asked to propose specifications for interior and exterior wall and floor colours, furniture, blinds and plants which when combined would avoid the usual institutional look found in many hospitals.

Her role also included identifying opportunities for artworks which would reinforce the building's healing philosophy as much as possible. The holistic process of bringing together different elements to create a whole became the conceptual basis of all the commissions and eventually five Scotland based artists were appointed. Weaving became the metaphor that connected the artist's work with each other, with the architectural environment and with the therapeutic care provided by the hospital.

“My work at the Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital is inspired by a personal passion - Yoga. The purpose of the yoga postures and breathing exercises is the development of a sound and healthy body and mind. Focusing the mind to look inwards induces a state of calmness that can be experienced again and again. This develops a reserve of inner strength.”

Elaine Clarke, Artist