Art students commemorate organ donors

University Campus Barnsley (UCB) BA (Hons) Fine Art students are collaborating with Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) to create a piece of artwork to commemorate Barnsley’s organ donors.

Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was looking for a piece of artwork to sit within the hospital reception area, to celebrate all those who have donated organs through NHS Blood and Transport and to encourage others to sign up to the donor register.

The Fine Art students were given a project brief and asked to submit their design ideas. Recent UCB graduate Victoria Hardman’s glass cast infinity sculpture design was chosen as the winning submission and is now in the process of being made. This process involves YSP working with the UCB students to progress into the second stage of design.

YSP and NHS staff were so impressed with all designs submitted that they have decided to continue the collaboration and are currently working with the students to design a plinth for the sculpture to stand on.

Evan Wood, HE Curriculum Leader for Creative Industries at UCB, said: “This project is a fantastic opportunity for students to experience the production of work in a professional context. We are delighted to be working closely with Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to produce artwork that serves the community.”

Helen Pheby, Head of Curatorial Programme at YSP, added: “We’re really pleased to be a partner with UCB and Barnsley NHS Trust, and to support students in developing a new commission for Barnsley Hospital. Talent is everywhere but opportunity is not and this is a great break for a young local artist to develop their work and career.”

Steve Wragg, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Chairman, added: “I’m really excited by this unique partnership between University Campus Barnsley, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Barnsley Hospital to design and produce a lasting memorial to those who have helped others by donating their organs. When complete it will take a prominent place in Barnsley Hospital to act as a permanent reminder of the gift organ donors make.”