A generous art donation has sparked a heartwarming new connection and plenty of smiles at PA Hospital’s Bunya Ward this month.
Staff and patients flocked to the Bunya and Cassia Ward deck on 22 April for the unveiling of the handmade mascot, a life-sized metal ibis sporting a prosthetic leg in solidarity with Bunya’s amputee cohort.
Behind the sculpture is Ryan Forster of Sethius Art (pictured), whose legacy of sharing and donating his art with the community inspired a fortuitous request from PA Physio Bec Heape (pictured back right).
“I have a bit of a history of donating my art to the public and installing art in public spaces. I get a kick out of that. After I donated a piece to the Children’s Hospital, Bec reached out about getting one here at PAH. It sounded like a really good idea that would put a smile on a lot of peoples’ faces, and that was all the inspiration I needed,” said Ryan.
Today, Ryan’s growing colony of metal ibises is over 150 strong, with many of the unique pieces perched proudly atop businesses and homes across Brisbane, drawing birdwatchers to the Bin Chicken Trail.
The latest instalment is a welcome addition to the Geriatric and Rehabilitation Unit (GARU) Bunya Cassia Ward deck, where it captures the resilient spirit of its patients.
“A lot of people here go through a hard time, and the Queensland spirit is to face adversity with humour, so this piece fits well here. It’s just a little something I could do to keep morale up, and the hard-working staff here deserve a good laugh, too,” said Ryan.
While the team debate a suitable name for the piece, PA Senior Physiotherapist Heather Batten (pictured back left) says the sculpture will be an ongoing source of positivity for all staff and patients who cross its path.
“It’s so encouraging to see our patients’ journey represented in the art. It’s so lovely that someone from the community has thought of us and has created this unique sculpture for us to admire and to create conversation. We’re so thankful to Ryan for donating it,” she said.
“It may not reach the public Bin Chicken Trail that people will tour around and visit, but at least it can be a part of it here in Brisbane.”