Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital Stage 2 Redevelopment

Acute Services Building and Emergency Department

Jess Birk and Jade Oakley collaborated on the stairwell/façade artwork for the new ASB

Elevating Acute Services with Art

Consulting with KB Art Projects

KB Art Projects proudly served as the arts and culture consultant for the new Acute Services Building at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital. Our mission? To infuse the clinical environment with uplifting artworks that not only energize the space but also harmonize with the architecture and interior design, while fostering a connection to the local community.

A Collaborative Effort

To achieve this vision, we collaborated with ten talented artists who poured their creativity into developing pieces tailored to the hospital's needs. Their works serve as beacons of inspiration, uplifting the spirits of staff, patients, and visitors alike.

Engaging the Community

In a bid to involve the community, we organized a photography competition, inviting both staff and local residents to showcase their photographic prowess. The response was overwhelming, resulting in a stunning array of finalist images that now adorn the walls of the new building, enriching the space with local talent and perspectives.

Studio A's Touch of Wonder

Adding to the charm of the updated emergency department, local disability group Studio A contributed their unique artistic flair. Their captivating artworks, featuring local birds, animals, and plants, bring a touch of nature indoors, creating a welcoming and soothing atmosphere for all who enter.

Artistic Excellence, Community Connection

At KB Art Projects, we believe in the transformative power of art to elevate spaces and foster connections. Through our collaboration with talented artists and community engagement initiatives, we strive to create environments that inspire, uplift, and enrich the lives of all who encounter them.

Blacktown Hospital Acute Mental Health Unit

Crafting a Vibrant Environment

Artist: Gauri Torgulkar

Public Art Strategy

The Public Art Strategy for the new Blacktown Acute Mental Health facility was meticulously crafted with a singular goal in mind: to create an environment brimming with vibrancy and joy, serving as a beacon of upliftment for patients, staff, and visitors navigating through challenging times.

Artist: Chernee Sutton reception

Reflecting Community Needs

Every aspect of the artwork selection process was guided by a deep understanding of the residents' needs and the importance of considering the wellbeing of all users. Each piece serves as a conduit, connecting individuals to the local community and celebrating the rich cultural tapestry and natural beauty of Western Sydney.

Celebrating Local Artists

Four exceptional artists—Trudy Rice, Gauri Torgalkar, Chern’ee Sutton, and Aunty Edna Watson—were handpicked to infuse their creativity into the project. Trudy's masterpiece, inspired by the flora and fauna of Blacktown, adorns over 100 meters of corridor space, transforming it into a captivating journey through nature's wonders.

Conversations with Nature

Gauri's two artworks in the dining/lounge room spark conversations between nature and humanity, drawing inspiration from the rich biodiversity of the Cumberland Plain Woodland. These pieces serve as poignant reminders of our interconnectedness with the natural world, fostering a sense of harmony and tranquility.

Artist: Trudy Rice

Life-Affirming Colors

Chern’ee Sutton's vibrant artwork adorns the reception and waiting areas, radiating with life-affirming hues and dynamic strokes. Inspired by her Kalkadoon ancestors' deep connection to nature and healing practices, her painting depicts the sacred act of gathering medicinal leaves, symbolizing the cyclical rhythms of the seasons and the renewal of life.

Transformative Artistry, Nurturing Healing

At the heart of the Blacktown Acute Mental Health facility lies a testament to the transformative power of art. Through the vision and talent of these remarkable artists, each artwork serves as a source of solace, inspiration, and connection, nurturing healing and hope for all who enter its doors.

Concord Repatriation General Hospital

Fostering Healing Through Art

Crafting a Healing Environment

The Public Art Strategy for the Rusty Priest Centre for Rehabilitation, Aged Care, and Comprehensive Cancer Care Centers at Concord Repatriation General Hospital was meticulously designed to cultivate a space of healing and inspiration for all members of the community. Guided by the vision of the Sydney Local Health District—"Excellence in health and healthcare for all"—the strategy aimed to innovate healthcare while partnering with local communities to enhance overall well-being.

Honoring Tradition

First Nations artist Lee Hampton, deeply rooted in the hospital and local community, contributed two monumental paintings and a striking wall mural for the aged care center. Collaborating with Aboriginal community members, hospital staff, and patients, Hampton's artworks embody a spirit of unity and collaboration, celebrating indigenous heritage and healing traditions.

Reverence and Remembrance

Tim Maguire's poignant artwork, "Poppies," serves as a striking homage to the hospital's history of treating returning service veterans. Welcoming patients and visitors alike, Maguire's piece pays tribute to the sacrifices and resilience of those who have served their country. Complementing this tribute are Steve Turner's local photographic images adorning the National Centre of Veterans Health, offering solace and familiarity to recovering veterans.

Inspiring Hope and Resilience

In the Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre, Alesandro Ljubocic's commissioned artwork—"When it rains, look for rainbows; when it's dark, look for stars"—infuses the space with a sense of hope and joy. Through vibrant imagery and uplifting messages, Ljubocic's work encapsulates the beauty of life's journey, reminding patients, staff, and visitors to find solace and strength amidst adversity.

Transformative Artistry, Nurturing Healing

With each brushstroke and canvas, the Rusty Priest Centre emerges as more than a mere medical facility—it becomes a sanctuary of healing and renewal. Through the transformative power of art, patients find solace, staff discover inspiration, and visitors experience a profound sense of connection and comfort, fostering healing in body, mind, and spirit.

St Leonards Health Organisations /NSW Ministry of Health

Art Strategy Development

Defining Artistic Commissions

The St Leonards Health Organisations Art Strategy was scupulously crafted to guide the artwork commissions for the NSW Ministry of Health and co-located entities headquarters within the Royal North Shore Hospital grounds in St Leonards. The strategy comprises two primary areas of focus: Public Art and Tenant Art.

Prioritizing Core Art Principles

At its core, the strategy embodies the principles of collaboration, connection to country, and patient care. It places Indigenous heritage, culture, and land acknowledgment at the forefront, celebrating the diverse community contributing to the NSW Healthcare network while aligning with the government's commitment to exemplary patient care.

Aims and Objectives

The strategy aims to seamlessly integrate with the architectural, interior, and landscape design of the site. It envisions selecting and commissioning artworks that enhance the site's forward-thinking ambiance, fostering inspiration and aspiration. Embracing a new paradigm of collaboration, respect, and innovation, the strategy strives to complement a future-oriented workspace ethos.

Enlivening Spaces Through Art

The Public Art aspect of the strategy seeks to enliven the external entry landscape and ground floor lobby, transforming them into captivating focal points. These artworks contribute to the site's unique identity, positioning it as a landmark within the community. By engaging with the rich Aboriginal histories of the area and embracing cultural diversity, the art adds depth and relevance, enriching the sense of place.

Collaborative Development

Both the Public Art and Tenant Art strategies were developed collaboratively, in partnership with architects (BVN), project managers (Savills), NSW Health Infrastructure, and the Ministry of Health. This collaborative approach ensures that the artworks seamlessly integrate with the site's vision and purpose, enhancing the environment for all who encounter it.

St George Hospital Redevelopment

Arts and Culture Strategy

The Arts and Culture Strategy for the St George Hospital Redevelopment was formulated to provide a unique and beautiful interior environment, creating a new paradigm for public hospitals by discarding the outdated clinical model. Our goal was twofold: to provide a welcoming and inspirational space for visitors and staff from our multi-faceted community and to create a place where patients and family members can escape their anxiety momentarily. Dedicated artists, who excel in their respective fields, contributed their unique vision to this exciting project. I feel privileged to have worked with such wonderful Arts Committee and project team members and I would like to thank the team at Health Infrastructure for putting Arts and Health firmly on the public agenda.

The Process

The Arts Committee was formed by hospital staff and community members then a staff survey was used to determine important aspects of an Arts Program. Local research was undertaken to ensure the region’s main features were reflected in the artworks and programs.

The Projects

• The Atrium – Following her recent successful commissions in Sydney and China, Lindy Lee was invited to undertake the design of a 15m suspended sculpture evoking the St George dragon iconography and reflecting both Eastern and Western cultural traditions.

• The Entry – Megan Cope, an inspiring young artist of Aboriginal descent, was commissioned to work with artists from the local Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation to produce a beautiful and meaningful community artwork.

• The History Walk – The ground floor link corridor, connecting the hospital’s old sections with the new ASB, has been transformed into an informative walk through history combining photos highlighting the past and present with images taken by Shoufay Derz, a professional photographer and teacher at St George TAFE.

• The Lift Lobbies – Each lift lobby has been turned into a visionary reflection of the St George region by artists Oliver Watts, Gabrielle Jones, Nicole Kelly, Shoufay Derz, Deanna Schreiber and Annette Webb.

• A local photography competition was organised in collaboration with Moran Art Prizes with the finalists’ images on display throughout the hospital.

• A ‘Happy Face’ community ‘selfie’ style photography project, led by Shoufay Derz, resulted in a colourful display highlighting the staff and patients’ playful side.

• The clinical area corridors have come to life with full wall vinyls displaying nature at its best, thanks to images taken by Shoufay Derz, Mike Edmondson and Steve Turner.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with these gifted artists to create a more welcoming and enjoyable hospital experience"