In October 2010 Celfwaith was appointed by Cwm Taf Health Trust to produce a commissioning plan and to implement public art commissions for the new Ysbyty Cwm Cynon. Building work was underway and we liaised swiftly with the architect to identify potential locations for artworks. Some changes and modifications were possible to the building plan to integrate public art into the fabric of the building and external courtyards. A broad theme of 'bringing the outside in' had been suggested by HLM Architects which we were happy to pursue given the beautiful landscape surrounding the building and the fact that the hospital's footprint echoed the curve of the nearby river Cynon. The building was designed to harness the use of natural daylight with a particular sensitivity to the surrounding landscape, therefore texture, material and the play of natural light were also key considerations when forming the artists' briefs.

Five commissions were identified and implemented, three inside the building and two within external courtyards.

Atrium Lightwell Courtyard commission
David Pearl was appointed through a design competition to create a sculptural intervention within a narrow courtyard acting as a lightwell for the atrium. The public does not have access to this courtyard but can see into it through floor to ceiling glazing. 'Luminous Ladders' are two diagonal constructions of transparent and opaque glass panels held by a stainless steel frame, which reflect and catch the sunlight within the lightwell, creating colourful shadows on the adjacent wall.

For more images see http://www.david-pearl.com/page021.htm

Public Courtyard Sculptures
For the larger, public courtyard, Walter Jack Studio was appointed to design sculptural features including seating for three circular areas within the main public courtyard. As part of their brief, Walter Jack and his colleagues facilitated workshops at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School with a group of BTEC students. They showed them a model of the courtyard and explained the brief to them. The students then developed their own response to the site, making models and discussing materials, technical feasibility and installation issues with the artists.

The sculptures consist of stainless steel metal tubes gathered tightly together, twisted in an upwards sweep and allowed to open out form a focal point in the central circle, with bamboo planting and oak bench seating softening the other two areas and complementing the central feature.