Artist-in-residence creates giant mosaic at hospital to celebrate organ donation

PATIENTS, visitors and staff at Colchester General Hospital have been able to watch an artist creating a giant mosaic to celebrate organ donation.

The artist-in-residence is Colchester-based Anne Schwegmann-Fielding, who has been working outside in a courtyard near the hospital’s main entrance until today.

Anne has been commissioned by the organ donation committee of Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust to create a wall mosaic based on the Essex coastline to acknowledge the life-saving and transforming kindness of people and their families in donating their organs for the benefit of others.

The mosaic, which is called The Gift of Life (The River of Life) and is about 20ft long, is being created out of materials that have been donated by the public, which include unwanted crockery - such as souvenir plates and ornaments depicting the Essex coast - old buttons, costume jewellery, coins and beach glass.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has donated materials,” said Anne, whose involvement in the project has inspired her to join the NHS Organ Donor Register.

“My brief was to create a recognisable representation of something meaningful to Essex.

“I choose to celebrate coastal Essex, its rivers and estuaries, using water as symbolism for life, journeys and reflection.

“The ebb and flow of the tide, like breathing, is about giving and receiving. Organ donation is all about giving and receiving, as is most of my work, which uses materials donated by the public.”

The mosaic will later this year be installed on a corridor wall on the ground floor of the main building at Colchester General Hospital.

It will incorporate a poem by Martin Newell, the Wivenhoe writer and musician, who is also on the organ donor register.

Anne, who works from her garden studio in north Colchester, has already talked with patients, visitors and staff at Colchester General Hospital because she wanted their input for the mosaic and poem.

The mosaic will include some of the features and wildlife of north east Essex.

Anthony Clarkson, assistant director of organ donation and nursing at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “The creation of this beautiful and imposing mosaic is a wonderful way to celebrate organ and tissue donation and the lives saved and improved by the generosity of organ donors.

“Every donor has given an incredible gift and their families take great pride and comfort from knowing their loved one has saved and transformed the lives of others.

“This mosaic will inspire all those who see it to think about the generosity of organ and tissue donors and the hope they bring to all those in need of a life-saving organ transplant.

“Just as importantly, it will create an opportunity to talk to those close to them about donation.

“By joining the NHS Organ Donor Register and letting your family know about your donation decision, you too could save lives.”

Anyone wanting more information on joining the NHS Organ Donor Register can do so by going to www.organdonation.nhs.uk or calling 0300 1232323.

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