The Butterfly Dance 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 2 –Women’s area:
Colourful ceramic butterflies flying along the walled garden brighten the outdoor space and bring a dance of colour to the garden. Patient’s feelings and hopes are expressed on the printed ceramic surface which becomes evident when they are closely inspected, each one an individual: just as each patient is.
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.
“Just living is not enough,” said the butterfly, “one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.”
~Hans Christian Anderson
