Capital Arts

Heather Parnell is Capital Arts ManagerHeather is a visual artist and educator with 20 years of experience in the field of public art. Heather trained as fine artist and teacher, then began working in community arts. In 1990 she became Artist in Residence at Llandough Hospital and has continued to work in the field of Arts in Health to the present day as practitioner, facilitator and lecturer. https://heatherparnell.wordpress.com/

Fiona Edwards is Arts in Health Facilitator

Press Release for Sculpture Unveiling

Sculpture commemorates burns centre's relationship with steelworks
Monday 29th January 2018
A visually stunning sculpture will be unveiled at Morriston Hospital’s Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery to commemorate its links with Port Talbot steelworks. Inspired by Welsh mythology and made entirely from Welsh steel, The Lady of Llyn y Fan Fach embodies the themes of regeneration and healing. Its unveiling on Monday 5th February will be ABMU’s first official event marking the 70th birthday of the NHS. The longstanding link between healthcare provision and industry in South Wales is being highlighted by a specially-created miners’ lamp, which will be the symbol of ABMU’s celebrations throughout the anniversary year. Although the Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery has links with industries across the region, it has a particularly close relationship with the Port Talbot steelworks. The sculpture commemorating that relationship was created by West Wales artist Sarah Tombs, using materials donated by Tata Steel. Community, the principal trade union at the steelworks, paid for its production and installation in a courtyard within the Morriston centre. According to Welsh folklore, the Lady of Llyn y Fan Fach was mother of the Physicians of Myddfai who used herbs and magical powers to heal people. The tale is recounted in The Mabinogion and The Red Book of Hergest. Sarah spent around 18 months working on the sculpture, which is made entirely from steel. Immediately eye-catching, it’s made even more striking by the fact that it has been purposefully allowed to rust. “I wanted the steel to come through and oxidisation is a natural process,” Sarah explained. “It’s softer and less industrial than something that has been galvanised or painted. It will change as time passes and I like that too.”

This video tells the story of the process of creating the sculpture

Press Release for Hoardings Mural at Morriston Hospital

Talented youngsters from across Swansea have been given a close-up look at the 60 metre-long artwork they created at Morriston Hospital.

The pupils from 15 different schools contributed illustrations which have now taken pride of place on construction hoardings put up while the hospital’s major redevelopment work continues.

The hoardings line a route leading from near the Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery down towards Ty Olwen as the old outpatients department is demolished.

Capital arts manager Heather Parnell said: “We wanted to make the pedestrian areas more attractive while the building work goes on.
“Hundreds of images based on a theme of nature were selected for the project and the finished piece not only shows off the pupils’ amazing talent but is also an impressive piece of public art.”

The project was organised by ABMU working with site construction firm Interserve and Locws International, the Swansea-based charity aimed at making the arts more accessible to the public which linked up with schools.

The children were invited along to see the completed mural, set to be in place until the redevelopment work is complete, at a launch event which was also attended by Swansea Lord Mayor Philip Downing and Lady Mayoress Lilian Downing.

Parent Dara Emanuel had a special reason for wanting to be at the launch alongside her son Pentre’r Graig Primary pupil Isaac (right).
His older brother Joseph needed treatment at the hospital’s burns centre when he was just three and then had to come back to the hospital for follow-up appointments.

She said: “If this mural had been there then it would have been a welcome distraction for him.

“Today’s event has been a lovely tribute to the children involved who have created a bright, cheerful place where people can have a have a little walk before or after an appointment. Congratulations to the hospital for coming up with something different.”

Oystermouth Primary School teacher Debbie Webster said coming to the event was very important for her pupils.

“It’s been good to get the children involved and to be able to bring them to a hospital for a positive reason. They will take this experience away with them. They are very proud to see their artwork on display in a public place where it will get a wider audience,” she said.

Sarah Ives, an art teacher at Cwm Glas Primary in Bonymaen, added: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for all of the youngsters. Our children have enjoyed using art to help others, this project brings hope and brightens spirits.”

Lesley Stuart, project manager for ABMU, described the launch of the mural project as one of the most memorable days of her career.

“The energy and enthusiasm of the children was invigorating and inspiring, the co-operation and support from Interserve was tremendous and the whole day demonstrated the workforce and community coming together,” she said.

Dave Cavanagh, site manager for construction firm Interserve, said: “We are grateful for all the children’s hard work. It is amazing to see such high quality artworks on our hoardings and I hope all hospital visitors appreciate them when they are at Morriston.”

Property manager Fiona Edwards added: “The children were thrilled to meet the Lord Mayor. This is another uplifting art project by the Arts in Health team.”

The schools that took part in the project were Craigcefnparc Primary, Birchgrove Comprehensive, Cadle Primary, Swansea Step Ahead Education Centre, Ysgol Pen y Bryn, Christchurch Primary, Waunarlwydd Primary, Pentre'r Graig Primary, Cwm Glas Primary, Penllergaer School, Oystermouth Primary, Newton Primary and Oakleigh House.