Solis: Our Hospital Illuminated

30th May 2022

A permanent light installation occupying the Atrium at the Mater Hospital. Comprised of 20 large scale illuminated artworks created across 19 departments and wards with Arts Care Artist in residence Beth McComish.
Four vertical columns of luminous artworks inject comfort and colour into the hospital 24 hrs a day.

The concept and design of the artwork focusses on the staff, patient, and visitor wellbeing at the Mater Hospital, providing comfort and colour through this permanently installed illuminated artwork. It has been co designed and created with each department within the site, reconnecting and imbuing belief and faith back into an already invested workforce.

Under the Arts Care Artist in Residence Programme at Belfast Trust, artist for the Mater hospital, Beth McComish invited all staff at the hospital to collaborate with her in the creation of 20 individual artworks created directly onto LED light panels. Teams and departments were asked to think of imagery and phrases that they believed resonated with them and that could then be projected back into the Atrium space. Each message and design interacts with each other and becomes integrated into the fabric of the hospital.

Bernie Carey Mater Site Service Manager states:

‘The Atrium is a space at the Mater Hospital which we recognised had great potential to do something creative with, that would help create a more hopeful and healing environment. The ‘Solis’ installation supports re-connectivity within teams; comfort to evening staff and patients; and creates a reinvigorated space for positive wellbeing for all staff, patients, and visitors. ‘Solis’ transforms the space for everyone coming through the hospital and we are delighted to have these beautiful artworks brightening the Atrium after a very challenging couple of years.’

Beth McComish worked closely with Estates services to design a bespoke hanging system that safely and beautifully highlights the artwork. Beth explains how the installation benefits staff and patients throughout the day and night….

‘Many patients are unable to sleep well and take walks across the Atrium bridge – the stained-glass illumination from the artwork provides comfort and joy. The same is said for the staff working night shifts, Solis will light up the Atrium transforming a large, isolated void for the night-time footfall. The installation hangs on the wall with which the chapel sits behind. The vertical slithers of light from the artwork almost mimic stain glass windows of a chapel.’

Barry Macaulay CEO/Artistic Director of Arts Care states:

‘This stunning exhibition is another example of how Belfast Trust, under the Arts in Health programme, work to improve the wellbeing of their staff and positively transform their spaces. This is particularly poignant in the Mater setting given the challenges of the past 2 years. What a fantastic legacy for the staff to have and knowing that they had a significant role in designing and producing the artwork.’

Arts Care lead a team of 23 Artist in Resident roles across 5 Heath and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland. There are currently 7 Artists in Residence based in the Belfast Trust including 5 visual artists, a dancer, and a musician. The Arts Care Artists in Residence are all highly skilled professionals in their fields, they work with the trusts to provide quality arts engagement to staff and service users, introduce arts and culture to healthcare and community settings, transform clinical environments into creative and cared for spaces and improve mental health and well-being.

Solis: Our Hospital Illuminated

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