New artwork helps patients at a time of anxiety

The healing power of the ocean and bush is a major theme in the striking new art work adorning the walls of the new Acute Services Building in Randwick.

As they walk through the new building, patients and staff will be able to gaze at soothing line drawings, paintings and photos of our District’s coastline, ocean pools, as well as native flowers, plants and animals.

Richard Briggs, one of the commissioned artists, said the beauty of the natural world at our doorstep came shining through during his art workshops while he was completing the murals for the front entrance space of the new building.

“There’s an enormous appreciation of how lucky we are to live where we do. All you have to do is walk into the bush, or swim in an ocean pool, and you almost instantly feel better.”

Richard has used a fine pen and ink line, before applying a watercolour wash in many of his artworks which fill the walls of reception areas, staff stations, public lift lobbies, corridors, and patient lounges.

“I hope looking at them takes the patients’ minds off what can potentially be a stressful situation.”

Richard is one of four leading Australian artists who have been commissioned to produce art for the new hospital including Natalie Bateman, Shoufay Derz and Emma Robertson.