News
The Sky's the Limit at Tallaght University Hospital. Photo credit: ABK Photography.
Tallaght University Hospital recently launched The Sky’s the Limit, a permanent installation of colourful hot air balloons floating above the volunteer coffee shop in the hospital atrium. The artwork was created as part of a collaborative arts and health project with TUH patients and staff and members of the local community.
Take a moment to imagine…
Walking into TUH to the sight of colourful hot air balloons. Floating… upwards… towards the sky. A unique image that creates a sense of peace, joy and calm while capturing the imagination.
The volunteer coffee shop is a public space where many patients and staff go to sit and enjoy a friendly chat and cuppa. Now people can experience the wonderful view above the space too.
The TSTL project began in 2018 by inviting patients, staff and members of the Tallaght community to get involved in a colouring competition to create bright, bold and beautiful hot air balloon designs. Over 290 submissions were received and 39 designs were selected to be recreated as 3D balloons.
During a series of community and hospital-based workshops, participants engaged in the balloon-making process with professional artists under the guidance of lead artist Lucia Barnes and the TUH arts team. Each balloon is handcrafted and hand-painted with an estimated 600-700 participants involved in creating them.
You can read more about the balloons and their creators here.
For further information on this project contact artsandhealth@tuh.ie
The Sky’s The Limit has been funded by the Meath Foundation, supported by TUH and facilitated by lead artist Lucia Barnes and the arts team. The project was co-ordinated by Arts Officer, Alison Baker Kerrigan, through the National Centre for Arts and Health (NCAH) and partnered by local
organisations including RUA RED Arts Centre.
