The Sanctuary, Donald Urquhart
Location: Ground floor, south corridor, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh
… a place of refuge, of shelter, of protection, where nature and the world of spirit meet.
The
Sanctuary is Scotland’s first new specifically-designed,
non-denominational hospital sanctuary and was devised to develop an
inclusive approach to spiritual care. In the context of a wider
programme of arts-led initiatives within the hospital, the space and
commissioning process provides a platform for an exploration about art
and its role within the healthcare environment.
Over a two-year period Donald Urquhart worked in collaboration with the Chaplaincy team, Consort Healthcare, staff, Ginkgo Projects, the Hospital Arts Committee and across the City’s faith communities to create a space for the hospital’s patients, staff and visitors.
Because Donald’s work was grounded in the very real and everyday happenings of the hospital, a space grew that met the needs of this very demanding acute environment. It is a space that is ‘other’; set aside from the clinical hospital environment, yet located at the heart of it. The use of commissioned work to populate The Sanctuary from a wide range of artists and makers living and working in Scotland, has allowed the expression of the natural world to infiltrate and enrich this clinical hospital environment. Through the tight curation of the contribution from artists, a space has evolved that has the clear authorship of Donald but also the breadth and vision of others.
Donald Urquhart’s work is both subtle and enduring. Since he began to make an impact as an artist in the early 1990s, in his art he has consistently explored the complexity inherent in simplicity. His design of The Sanctuary reflects this exploration.
The Sanctuary is a place of welcome and retreat in the midst of the busy hospital. It is always open and available at anytime.
Location: Ground floor, south corridor, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh
… a place of refuge, of shelter, of protection, where nature and the world of spirit meet.
A place safe to use, to come and go, to bring and leave, to wait or be …
The
Sanctuary is Scotland’s first new specifically-designed,
non-denominational hospital sanctuary and was devised to develop an
inclusive approach to spiritual care. In the context of a wider
programme of arts-led initiatives within the hospital, the space and
commissioning process provides a platform for an exploration about art
and its role within the healthcare environment.Over a two-year period Donald Urquhart worked in collaboration with the Chaplaincy team, Consort Healthcare, staff, Ginkgo Projects, the Hospital Arts Committee and across the City’s faith communities to create a space for the hospital’s patients, staff and visitors.
Because Donald’s work was grounded in the very real and everyday happenings of the hospital, a space grew that met the needs of this very demanding acute environment. It is a space that is ‘other’; set aside from the clinical hospital environment, yet located at the heart of it. The use of commissioned work to populate The Sanctuary from a wide range of artists and makers living and working in Scotland, has allowed the expression of the natural world to infiltrate and enrich this clinical hospital environment. Through the tight curation of the contribution from artists, a space has evolved that has the clear authorship of Donald but also the breadth and vision of others.
Donald Urquhart’s work is both subtle and enduring. Since he began to make an impact as an artist in the early 1990s, in his art he has consistently explored the complexity inherent in simplicity. His design of The Sanctuary reflects this exploration.
The Sanctuary is a place of welcome and retreat in the midst of the busy hospital. It is always open and available at anytime.
