Joseph Egan

“There is a strong and important message being sent when original art works are on view in a hospital. I tried to perceive this message once as a patient and now as an artist invited to select a group of works for a place in the Klinik Hirslanden. The time spent in hospital is a paradoxical mix of awareness and urgency. We are confronted with the fragility of life and the hope of healing and recovery. But we still want to get back home as soon as possible. The proposal of a humorous work like ‘Rug Dog’ is that someone is waiting for us, even if it is only our loyal pet. ‘Summer’ is a vibrant work pulsing with a colour buzz and perhaps challenging because of its good mood. Of course when one is feeling badly even the most beautiful flowers can be suddenly irritating. A work such as ‘Pillow’ shows that this most agreeable invention can also be a carrier of colour and be the subject of a painting.

‘Tomorrow’s Tomorrow’ is like a get-well card wishing the patient renewed energies. ‘Berry’ is less direct but refers to fruits which refresh and awaken the senses once again. The orange juice served with breakfast comes from oranges and we know that oranges grow in a grove under the sun. To imagine the orange is to picture it. To picture such things while in hospital creates a way to have it be present in the mind. The art works in the clinic are given to the patients, their visitors and the personnel as part of the environment. It is nice to discover that art is not only in the museum, not only at home, but also here doing a small job to create a lively atmosphere. I am happy that my works are present and part of it.”

Joseph Egan