Freedom 2012
Date: 2012
Dimensions: 7m x 3m
Materials: Handmade ceramics
Techniques: Hand made ceramics, stoneware glaze, decal transfers
Commissioned by: Artscare and Avanti Architects
Location: Grangewood, Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit, Gransha, Derry
Architects: Avanti Architects
Description: Ceramics on the wall in the outside courtyard area
Concept: Courtyard 1 –Men’s area:
A line of different sized ceramic birds flowing in two wandering lines along the wall to represent the pathway to recovery and a sense of freedom. Each piece is intricately textured with printed and painted images relating to trees, flowers and the sky. This work includes pieces made in 3 workshops with patients, uses words and phrases from poetry workshops and expresses the patient’s feelings for the unit. The whole piece has a playful feeling of breaking free from the things which try to tie us in knots.
Chinese proverbs: “A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.”
“You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.”
