ColourSpace is working with Liverpool Hospital and Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital on an exciting program that brings local art to Hospitals in a way that both improves the healing environment, whilst also supporting local artists.

The primary mission of this Program is to create a more comfortable and calming atmosphere within the often-stressful environment of a Hospital to provide a positive diversion for patients, visitors and staff. Critically, this Program is based on existing research from the WHO that demonstrates the impact of art on healing.

Furthermore, this Program is established in line with the South Western Sydney Health and Arts Strategic Plan 2018-23’s recommendation on connecting and involving the local community, as well as being a broader part of the Hospitals’ redevelopment.

Exhibition Submissions Open for both Liverpool Hospital and Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital

There are two separate Hospital exhibition programs that artists can apply for. The Liverpool Exhibition Program is now open for its third exhibition, whilst the Bankstown-Lidcombe Exhibition Program is now open for its first exhibition.

Submissions for both Hospital programs will be managed through the same ColourSpace portal (link below). We will assume that your submissions will be for both programs unless otherwise specified.

If you’ve previously registered for the Liverpool Exhibition Program and have submitted artworks previously, your profile is still active along with your previously submitted artworks. They will all count as part of your submission for both exhibitions. In other words, if you have an existing account, all you need to do is sign in and review whether you’re happy for your current artworks to be included for both Liverpool and Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital exhibitions. If not, please delete them from your profile and re-submit any new artworks.

Click here to register and apply

Timeframes

1. Submissions open: 12pm, Tuesday 11 May 2021
2. Submissions close: Midnight, Tuesday 25 May 2021
3. Artist(s) for Second Exhibition announced: Friday 25 May 2021
   
4. Exhibitions installed and artwork on display: Saturday 19 June 2021

In the light of Covid, please be aware that these dates may be subject to change. We will do our best to keep this page up to date, as well as through our social media.

About the Exhibition Program

We are transforming various wards and thoroughfares into galleries filled with local artwork that is changed every 3 months. Each exhibition will be curated around particular themes based on a combination of pre-approved suggestions from the hospital (see below), as well as depending on what works you submit to the Program.

For artists who may not be familiar with ColourSpace, our model is predicated on helping artists share works that you’ve already created with the world. This Exhibition is not about asking artists to commission and submitting new works for us; it’s about giving you an opportunity to share more stories about the artwork that you’ve already created.

For artists, all of your artworks will be displayed for sale, with ColourSpace applying a 25% commission if any works sell.

For other questions on how ColourSpace works for artists, there is a Frequently Asked Questions on the registration page.

Exhibition Themes

With this exhibition being installed in the first couple of weeks of 2021, in the height of summer, we are thus looking for abstract, representational, and figurative artworks based around the following themes:

Summer | Warmth | Fresh starts | Community | Fullness | Love | Celebration | Generosity | Fun | Healing

What does the exhibition space look like?

There are several walls on which art will be displayed, all of which will have gallery rails installed, with security hooks applied. Below are some photos of Liverpool Hospital, and you can check out the exhibitions for Spring 2020 and Winter 2020.

How does it work for artists? Are there any fees?

For artists, the exhibition is completely free and there are no fees involved for artists whose works are chosen for display. ColourSpace will look after the installation, insurance, display, and promotion of your artwork, and all your works will be displayed for sale, with ColourSpace handling all sales enquiries with a flat commission rate of 25% (i.e. you receive 75%). The only catch is that any works on display will need to remain on display for the full period of the 3 month exhibition.

These exhibition programs are established with Hospitals on a pilot basis, which means royalties may not be offered for works chosen for these Exhibition Programs as per ColourSpace’s regular operating models. However, this is not our long term vision. Our goal is to work closely with all stakeholders in our network to secure additional funding to support additional exhibition programs at Hospitals around Australia. Where we are successful in this, our vision is to pay artists to exhibit your works.

Artist Eligibility

To be eligible for this program, you must be based in or around Sydney for at least half of the year, with artworks available for delivery or collection locally. There isn’t a hard perimeter per se on locality, though at minimum you have to be within NSW. All chosen artists will be asked to drop off artworks at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.

Employees of both Liverpool and Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospitals are eligible to be part of this program, and we welcome your submissions.

For artists further afield, whilst we unfortunately can’t accept your applications at this stage, please do sign up to our newsletter or follow us @colourspaceau, as we will be looking to roll out this program to other hospitals around Australia in the future.

Selection Criteria

In selecting the artworks, it is important to understand that the setting is first and foremost a hospital. As such, we must consider the medical and emotional sensitivities of our viewers.

The physical criteria:

• We are looking for visual artworks that can be hung on a wall, on a gallery hanging system. We unfortunately can’t accommodate free-standing sculptures or installations that require extensive installation on to the Hospital’s walls.
• For artists who have original paintings, your works must be properly framed and ready to hang at the time of drop off, with all shortlisted artists will be asked to submit photos of your artworks to verify the condition and quality of your works prior to acceptance.
• For artists who are submitting prints, your works will need to be framed behind perspex.
• Works that are bigger than 1.5m in height are unlikely to be able to fit! On the other hand, works that are smaller than 50sqcm may also be too small.
• If you can smell it, we can’t accept it! So any new works - especially oil or spray paint - that are not fully dried or sealed will also be rejected.

Thematically, we are open to:

• A mixture of landscapes, waterscapes and botanicals of South West Sydney imagery
• Figurative works that are inclusive of diverse cultures and non-denominational spirituality

Naturally, overt sexual content, violence and nudity will not be considered. We will also avoid pieces that are deliberately confrontational, chaotic, depressing or contain negative medical connotations.

Artwork will be assessed on the following factors:

• Content and colour palettes that promote tranquility, healing, compassion, and wellness
• It’s potential to revitalise and enrich patient, visitor and staff experiences
• Reduce the stress and anxiety often associated with the healthcare setting
• Creative works that include medical / health themes

We also greatly appreciate the power of stories to connect people. We will thus also be considering your stories and inspirations behind the artwork(s) you submit.

Click here to register and apply

For all enquiries regarding the exhibition:

[email protected]

For all enquiries regarding the hospital:

Miriam Cabello, South West Sydney Health and Arts Coordinator

Develop Innovative Health and Arts Projects/Programs

[email protected]