Renowned sculptor Hamish Mackie has overseen the installation of his specially commissioned ‘Swifts’ sculpture at the new Dyson Cancer Centre in Bath.
Hamish Mackie, Jan Witt and Hetty Dupays with the new sculpture | Photo courtesy of the RUH
A crane made a temporary return to the site at the Royal United Hospital to lift the 80-kilogram bronze artwork into place.
The sculpture, perched atop a limestone base donated by Stoke Hill Mine, will create a serene and welcoming atmosphere for patients and their loved ones during their stays and treatments.
Hamish said: “It’s always a very special moment to see a sculpture leave the confines of my studio and settle safely in to a new home.
“‘Swifts’ was specifically designed for the Dyson Cancer Centre, as a symbol of hope and optimism, and will form the focal point of a first floor courtyard.”
The sculpture was commissioned by a generous supporter of the RUH’s charity RUHX, who was also on hand to welcome the ‘Swifts’ onto site.
Hamish explained: “We wanted to create a sculpture that would celebrate the life of a special loved one, and those of all the other patients at the Dyson Cancer Centre. A pair of dancing swifts in the sky seemed to hit exactly the right note.”
Art at the Heart (AATH) is the RUH’s art and design charity and AATH manager Hetty Dupays who is overseeing the art and interior design of the centre said: “The plinth the ‘Swifts’ rests on is a piece of 150 million-year-old limestone, in the distinctive honey colour that Bath stone is so famous for.
“The Dyson Cancer Centre has been designed around a land, water and sky theme which incorporates natural light, external spaces, greenery and artwork, all of which are known to have a positive effect on healing and patient experience.
“This sculpture and plinth are a beautiful marriage of sky and land and together make a really special addition to this wonderful building.”
The stone plinth was prepared by Wells Cathedral Stonemasons in Cheddar, who donated their time and expertise.
The installation was facilitated by construction partners Kier, ensuring a seamless joining of the sculpture and plinth.
The Dyson Cancer Centre, which will open later this year, will serve as a cancer services hub for half a million individuals in the South West, consolidating various cancer services under one roof.
The ‘Swifts’ sculpture will be covered and protected as courtyard landscaping takes place, ready to greet patients when the centre officially opens.
