Art Installations
throughout the Tallaght University Hospital
Art installed on hospital walls, including in clinical court or atrium areas, primarily act as therapeutic, ‘healing’ element rather than mere decoration. It is a component of evidence-based design aimed at improving patient, staff and visitor well-being.
Key Reasons for Art on Hospital Walls
- Reduction of Stress, Anxiety, and Pain
Studies show that art, particularly nature, reduces the stress hormone cortisol. It can lower heart rates, stabilize blood pressure, and diminish patient perception of pain. - Faster Recovery Times
Research indicates that patients with access to art in their environments may experience shorter hospital stays. - Positive Distraction
Art gives patients, especially in stressful emergency or waiting areas, something beautiful to focus on instead of their illness or, in the case of children, fear of treatment. - Humanizing Sterile Environments
It breaks up the monotony of ‘Institutional white walls’ and harsh lighting, creating a warmer, more welcoming, and less intimidating atmosphere. - Finding Your Way and Orientation
Artworks act as landmarks in large, complex buildings, helping patient and visitors navigate to different areas. - Supporting Staff Morale
A better environment helps reduce burnout or for nurses and doctors, making them feel more valued and improving the overall atmosphere of the workplace. - Cultural and Local Connections
Using Art from local artists or themes related to the community makes patients feel more at home and comfortable.
Forget me never tree
Lucia Barns
The project evolved from listening to the views of patients, their families and staff of the Dialysis Unit in a bid to create a beautiful collaborative piece of art that would represent the Dialysis Family. On many levels a tree is symbolic, in this case it portrays the Dialysis Family – both past and present. Each leaf represents an individual presence, whilst the branches and trunk represent the community; reminding us of the level of engagement, commitment and the reality of dialysis treatment.
Artist in Residence Lucia Barnes designed the unique mosaic tree and along with fellow artists facilitated the project over a two year period. This involved art sessions at the bedside for dialysis patients, workshops for families, friends, staff and at times sending individual craft packs to patients who receive dialysis at home. Selecting a medium like mosaic allowed all participants to create their own leaf regardless of ages ranging from 5 to 80 years! This project is one of the most far reaching, collaborative arts and health projects undertaken by Arts and Health at TUH.
Forget Me Never consists of 172 individually crafted colourful mosaic leaves, each one is carefully connected to the Irish sourced driftwood branches and tree trunk, mounted on a hand painted backdrop. Each element has been expertly crafted and positioned by Lucia Barnes to form the perfectly balanced tree. A Participant Legend acts as a guide to assist those who took part in the project in finding the leaves created. The project has been kindly funded by the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund, The Meath Foundation and strongly supported by the Smyth Family and staff of the Dialysis Unit.
The Sky’s the Limit
Lucia Barnes
The Sky’s the Limit installation in the Tallaght University Hospital atrium, created as part of a collaborative arts and health project facilitated by Lucia Barnes, lead artist and coordinated by Ali Baker Kerrigan, TUH Arts & Health Manager.
The Sky’s The Limit is a permanent installation of uniquely designed hot air balloons. The project involved more than 600 participants including hospital staff, patients, visitors and the wider Tallaght community supported by artists from the National Centre for Arts and Health (NCAH).
After the successful launch of The Sky’s the Limit the Meath Foundation commissioned the lead artist to create a video highlighting her process, workshops and interactions with participants throughout the project.
Butterfly Haven
Lucy Turner
‘Butterfly Haven’ is an art installation remembering our deceased colleagues of Tallaght University Hospital and was officially launched by former CEO Lucy Nugent on 31st January 2020. The ceremony included readings and reflective poetry from our Pastoral Care Team and a performance by the TUH – Sing While You Can Singers. ‘Butterfly Haven’ was created by artist Lucy Turner under a collaborative project initiated and lead by Ann Hickey, End of Life Coordinator, supported by the Arts & Health Dept, the Project team and the Management Team at TUH.
For me the launch of Butterfly Haven was a celebration of our fellow co-worker’s lives who unfortunately are no longer with us. I have since revisited to sit and remember colleagues while I gaze at the beautiful butterflies and their magnificent colours and sizes representing all walks of life
Diaphony
A Sculptural Installation by Olivia Hassett
Skin is a threshold or a boundary between the inside and outside, the seen and the unseen, the private and the public.
Diaphony is a sculptural installation of over 250 perspex discs created by Olivia Hassett, the Meath Foundation Artist in Residence. It is inspired by Hassett’s research over a two year residency alongside conversations with consultants in our Dermatology Department.
Diaphony, like skin is not a perfect mesh of aligned cells, instead it highlights both cells and intercellular spaces, revealing layers which lie beneath. Hassett creatively interprets and makes visible what is barely visible to the human eye. This piece incorporates different types of language: English, Medical terminology, Ogham, the ancient Celtic language of the trees and Colour, Hassett’s primary language of expression. Blue ‘Speaks out with honesty’ while orange ‘Supports expression with warmth’.
Each disc is stitched together to form overlapping translucent layers whilst replicating the dimensions of a petri dish. The paint embedded into the hand etched lines, images and words make the markings visible. Each etching echoes notions pertaining to the physical, social and politicalised body.
CONNECTIONS Project and
Art at the Bedside
Paola Invernizzi and Olivia Hassett
TUH Artists in Residence Paola Invernizzi and Olivia Hassett, co-creators of the CONNECTIONS project, facilitated through the Art at the Bedside programme.
The 2025 Café Wall exhibition in Rua Red South Dublin Arts Centre featured the collaborative work of CONNECTIONS, co-created by patients and artists through the TUH Art at the Bedside programme. CONNECTIONS encourages conversation about the many ways that humans connect both with each other and with the world around us.