The skills of Tanja sculptor Richard Moffatt and generosity of a private donor will welcome patients, staff and visitors alike to the new South East Regional Hospital.
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Mr Moffatt was on hand Thursday installing eight large steel spheres in a rock garden at the SERH entrance.
The sculptures were donated to the Bega Valley Regional Gallery collection and both Mr Moffatt and curator Iain Dawson could think of no more perfect location.
“I’m so thrilled as an artist to be able to do something like this,” Mr Moffatt said.
“It’s so fortunate these pieces work so well with a contemporary building – a stunning contrast of steel and stone with the hard lines of the building.”
The spheres are made from recycled rebar, railway sleeper plates, star pickets and rotary hoe blades – directly linking the work to the local community that now gets to enjoy them.
Mr Moffatt said he had already heard feedback on how fantastic it was public art was being incorporated into the new hospital.
That was echoed by Southern NSW Health media relations manager Penny Sillis who said it’s “an absolute talking piece for the community”.
Mr Dawson said the benefactor who owned the Moffatt pieces, preferred to remain anonymous, but was “an amazing supporter of arts in the community”
“A gift of this magnitude is something we’re thrilled about,” Mr Dawson said.
“Richard’s work is recognisable right throughout the shire and beyond and it’s great to have his work in Bega as well.
“It’s also an option if anyone wants to be generous towards public art – the gallery has deductible gift status.”