Frimley Health Charity were absolutely thrilled to unveil new sculptures at Heatherwood Hospital ready for the opening of the Hospital by the Countess of Wessex. It is dedicated to the memory of the 1966 Chapel of St Luke from the original hospital site.
For two years, Emma Carr, Arts and Creative Health Manager for Frimley Health Charity, has worked on ideas to repurpose the original stained glass, with the result being two pieces of unique artwork.
Working with Surrey glass artist Joe Szabo, the charity worked to create reBorn and reFlect.
‘reBorn’, which sits outside Heatherwood Hospital was designed to be reminiscent of the church spire and building, whereas ‘reFlect’, which sits in the new Heatherwood reflection room, flows across the frosted four panel window delivering powerful colour and design. Both designs use the old pieces of glass, taken apart carefully and redesigned using new lead and metal. The colours create a flowing rainbow theme giving hope for the next part of its journey.
Closing a place of worship is never an easy experience. The League of Friends raised over £7000 through fetes and fundraising to build the chapel and went on to be used as a place of worship, prayer and quiet devotion for fifty-six years. To be able to ensure that something of the Chapel of St Luke migrated to the new Heatherwood Hospital was an important acknowledgment of the gift given in 1966, and its remaining relevance in changing times.
Reverent Michael Ossei-Williams, Chaplain at Heatherwood Hospital opened the sculptures with staff, blessing the two pieces and the staff who work at Heatherwood supporting patients.
Reverent Michael Ossei-Williams, said: “Some say that the stones absorb prayer. I hope that this stained glass transmutes prayer. Watching Joe's creative process was a beautiful reminder of God's ongoing creative force which continually transforms and brings to new birth that which was there at the very beginning. It has been a privilege to be part of the creation of new spaces for prayer and reflection that form a bridge between the past, the present and the future.”
The project was curated and funded by Frimley Health Charity and Heatherwood League of Friends legacy.
New Chapel Artwork is unveiled at the new Heatherwood Hospital.