2 December 2019
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World-renowned artist, Fintan Magee has been commissioned to paint two murals at Dubbo Hospital as part of the NSW Government's $150 million Dubbo Hospital Redevelopment.
In preparation for the project, Magee visited Dubbo to meet with local artists, hospital staff and Aboriginal Elders to create murals that celebrate the bush and local Aboriginal culture.
The mural project also provides a unique opportunity for an emerging local Aboriginal artist to be mentored by Magee on the project to develop their painting techniques for large-scale installations.
The mural designs will focus on native bush foods and the role they play in health and the community.
Magee is one of Australia's leading public artists and has developed public art for major national and international projects.
The hospital's mural project is one of several arts projects being undertaken at Dubbo Hospital to help integrate art and local culture into the new buildings.
Another project underway is the "friendly faces" photography project by Asher Milgate who has spent the last few weeks taking photos of people living in regional and remote communities around Dubbo.
Milgate's photos will be displayed in the new three-storey hospital building, which is currently under construction. The photos will also be displayed in the new $35 million Western Cancer Centre, which will start construction in 2020.
Milgate, originally from Wellington NSW, is a renowned photographer and videographer who is now based in Sydney.
Studies have shown that incorporating vibrant, positive and engaging artwork into hospitals helps to promote healing and well-being for patients, staff and visitors.
Expressions of interest for the local emerging Aboriginal artist mentorship with Magee closes on 1 January 2020. Applications should be sent to: belinda.berryman@health.nsw.gov.au.
Construction of Stage 4 of the Dubbo Hospital Redevelopment and the Western Cancer Centre are scheduled for completion in 2021.