First Artists announced for artworks at new Shellharbour Hospital

Experienced artists Jake Nash and Kate Vassallo have been announced as the successful applicants to undertake the commission following a competitive tender process.

Artist and designer Jake Nash will collaborate with local community groups to co-design a welcoming artwork that will feature at the new hospital’s main entrance and Aboriginal Family Room. The artwork will celebrate the local community, Country, and enhance the arrival experience for patients, visitors and staff.

Jake’s approach to this artwork builds on the co-design of the hospital, which commenced with a walk on Country in 2021, and has continued throughout the planning and design of the new hospital.

Jake works across theatre and large-scale public art, exploring the relationship between story, people and place. He has collaborated with communities and Cultural Knowledge Holders nationwide, served as Head Designer at Bangarra Dance Theatre, and delivered a number of major public artworks.

Kate Vassallo will create artworks that will feature within the Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Units. Kate works with focus and care, using colour and repetition to create immersive art experiences. She has delivered artworks for healthcare environments, including a large-scale commission for the Canberra Hospital.

Curated by Cultural Capital, the artworks will be shaped through consultation with patients, staff and the community to ensure they support clinical needs. More artist announcements are expected in the coming months as the project’s arts program continues to take shape.

The appointments follow a competitive culturally informed tender process guided by the project’s Arts Working Group, which includes representatives from the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Shoalhaven City Council, South Coast Arts, Health Infrastructure, and the local community.

The art commissions form part of the hospital’s arts and culture strategy, which has been developed with the community to create a welcoming, culturally inclusive and therapeutic environment within the new hospital.

Arts in health experiences are an integral part of all NSW Health Capital projects to reflect each region’s dynamic community and create an inclusive and supportive environment for patients, families and staff.

The new hospital is part of the more than $780 million New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services Project, which is being delivered by Health Infrastructure in partnership with Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District. The Project also includes the new Warrawong Community Health Building.

The Health and the Arts Framework 2024-2032 highlights the role of the arts in providing patients, staff and communities with positive experiences within healthcare settings. The Framework recognises and provides guidance for integrating the arts into our facilities and healthcare.

Construction of the new Shellharbour hospital is expected to be completed in 2027 and will provide expanded health services for the community, bringing more care closer to home.

For more information on this project, visit the New Shellharbour Hospital project page.