Gift of Life Artists Announced

Artists appointed for Memorial Commission.

Gwent Arts in Health and NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) are pleased to announce that the artists Valerie Harding and Beth Downing have been appointed to create inspirational artwork for the ‘Gift of Life’ Organ and Tissue Donor Memorial project which will see parallel new artworks in Nevill Hall and Royal Gwent Hospitals. The pieces will be a sensitive but stimulating memorial that reflects the sensitivities of organ donation.

Beth and Valerie have their backgrounds within three dimensional design employing a number of mediums including conventional and contemporary glass, alongside more traditional art forms. As graduates of Architectural Glass both are passionate about the qualities of glass, its transmitting properties, and its ability to obscure, reflect and project light.

The initial designs have been drawn up and the artists are about to embark on a series of glass workshops with Coleg Gwent students, and visitors, patients and staff at hospitals in Newport and Abergavenny. The final works will be constructed from individual elements made by workshop participants.

The hospital workshops will take place near where the artworks will be installed and it is hoped that as many visitors and staff can take part in the project. Anyone can take part and no previous experience is necessary!

 

The first workshops will be on:

Tuesday 20th November: 1.00 – 3.00 pm, Beechwood Café, Level 1, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport

Wednesday 21st November: 1.00 – 4.00 pm, Main Outpatients, Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny

Further workshops are planned for 27th and 28th November.

 

For more information about the project and workshops, please contact Sarah Goodey – 01633 234517 (sarah.goodey@wales.nhs.uk)

For information about NHSBT, please contact Nicky Newbound – nicola.newbound@nhsbt.nhs.uk