Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda - VR of the courtyard.

Click here to view panorama full size.
Hamish has just finished stitching this VR image of the courtyard for me. It gives a full 360 degree view of the completed work... clever!

Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda - Project Completed

Wednesday 17th, Thursday 18th and Friday 19th June were three long days of work installing at the almost completed Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda (Rhondda Valley Hospital) at Llwynypia. This project has spanned nearly 2 years as my colleague, Ian Randall, and I were selected to undertake the commission in 2007. As often happens with developments of this scale, the new build project was delayed. Happily though, the work is now completed and I feel sits well within the internal courtyard. The courtyard is in the Primary Care Centre within the hospital.

Hamish and Ian lowering one of the steel kernels into place.


Massive steel kernels nestle precariously amongst the huge slate monoliths. They scatter across the courtyard gradually opening to reveal their internal fruits.

The internal stone spheres spill out, representing stages of germination and growth.



Some nice reflections in the windows.

Munchity crunchity go the little caterpillars.
While we were busy installing the sculpture hundreds of little caterpillars were busily eating the newly planted birch trees...

... leaving not a leaf in sight!!

Foundations

Okay, so I know these aren't the most inspiring photos here on my blog. However they do show another aspect of the job! We spent this weekend digging the foundations for the courtyard installation. It rained and hailed on us, but the sun did shine too. We removed 4 tonnes of wet Welsh soil, replacing it with equal quantities of concrete. It took us approximately 17 hours to complete the job. The foundations are now in and once the concrete has cured we will return to install the work, probably in about 3 - 4 weeks time. I'm looking forward to seeing this work installed and reclaiming some space in my studio!

Llwynypia March 16th 2009 All the balls together

Llwynypia March 16th 2009 'Half in Half'

The final stone piece is fitted into its 'husk'




Please note the attention to detail;
Ratchet straps colour co-ordinated with stains on boiler suit, even the boots match the ensemble... an attractive little number, a must have for the mid-career artist about town!!

Llwynypia March 16th 2009

After a lot of grinding, a bit of swearing and a trapped finger, the stone 'slices' are now fitted snugly into the steel 'husks'.

Llwynypia

Stone ball with flat bottom


Cutting a flat bottom.

Llwynypia

Lifting and shifting stone ball

Llwynypia Hospital work in progress

Stone Ball 1

Stone Ball 1, 2, 3 (and the 1/2)

Stone Balls 2 & 3 (with a slice to the side)

Stone Ball 3 (from above)

Llwynypia work in progress

Steel 'Husks'

Steel 'Husk' balanced precariously...

Two, of many, pieces of Welsh Slate

Stone Ball 4 (the half one)

Images show work in progress for Llwynipia Hospital Courtyard.
Llwynypia is a new build project in the Rhondda Valley.
This is a joint project with Ian Randall.
The work is due for completion towards the end of March.
Installation to take place in April 2009.