The Forbes First Exhibition has been installed in the corridors of the Forbes Hospital. This exhibition is part of the Culture and Arts Program, which has been integrated into the hospital’s redevelopment. “We published a call out to local artists and 14 artists replied,” said Arts OutWest Arts and Health Coordinator Christine Mc- Millan. “I would like to thank all of the artists who have contributed to the exhibition, which will make a big difference to the corridors of the hospital. The walls are transformed by bright and cheerful works.”
Lachlan Health Service Manager, Liz Mitchell, is also looking forward to seeing the facility brought to life with the artwork from locals. “It’s fabulous to have new equipment and facilities, but the Forbes Hospital redevelopment is also about making it a more vibrant and friendly place for all our communities.
Integrating the arts is a great way of achieving this,” said Ms Mitchell. “Staff members Sue Dingwell and Michelle Horton have work hanging in the Forbes First exhibition,” Ms Mitchell said. Both Sue and Michelle’s works are based
on animals – Sue’s work ‘Horse’ adds colour to the corridor and the detail draws you into the painting. Michelle’s work ‘Shine Bright’ is the first mirror background mosaic she has made, after 5 years of mosaic making, with a splash of colour in the body of an elephant.
Thirty artworks will be on display. A broad range of mediums are used in the works, including pastels, water colour, acrylic, mixed media, oils and wax and ink. Many of the images are inspired by the Forbes landscape, from historical buildings to the rural Forbes canola season. Wattle flowers to deciduous leaves represent the broad species range of plants in the area.
Karen Ritchie, who has three pieces in the exhibition, said the Forbes wetlands provided a perfect backdrop to explore, in colour and line, the movement and fleetingness of water. “No two views are the same as colour and shape and shadows are reliant on landform and objects surrounding the body of water. Acrylics and ink provide a fluid consistency to try and replicate the
nature of water, while the trees provide an illusion of solidity,” she said.
The artworks are on display until June 15 and can be seen by anyone who visits the hospital during this time. A similar exhibition is currently also running at the new Parkes Hospital.