Giant illuminated flowers will be providing colourful festive cheer for patients at the Royal United Hospital this Christmas.
The jaw-dropping display, which will be in place through until the New Year, features a
number of giant Victoria amazonica flower sculptures. It follows on from the success of a similar
art installation that took place over the festive season last year.
The flowers have been installed in the Children’s Ward garden and the two central courtyards,
adjacent to the hospital’s Atrium.
They have been generously donated and installed by James and Lindsey Cochrane at Frome-
based artists’ studio Jigantics, working alongside the RUH’s in-house art and design team, Art
at the Heart.
James from Jigantics said: “The Jigantics team is thrilled to be able to share the flowers with
everyone at the RUH this winter. Studies have shown that even looking at visual
representations of nature reduces stress and anxiety and ultimately improves our mental health
and wellbeing.
“Flowers also have a long history within cultures of being symbols of thought, be it love,
empathy, celebration or appreciation – a shared unspoken language between humans.
“Through these giant illuminated blooms we aim to make interventions in public places that
spark a sense of awe and wonder, whilst also generating feelings of relaxation, warmth, joy and
unity between those gazing at them. Ultimately, creating windows of shared and memorable
happiness.
As an unwilling but fairly frequent visitor to the RUH with my myriad aches and pains, I have to say that all the artworks, from modest watercolours to giant installations gracing the RUH are a joy to behold . Those corridors can seem endless especially to those with mobility issues or feelings of anxiety (me!) and the colourful and imaginative art one comes across lifts one’s spirits no end!